Repair work has already begun to repair the Lake District paths

A website has been set up to tell people about the damage to the paths and how they can donate money to help fund the repair work.

One idea is to lay down huge boulders so the paths can withstand the amount of traffic.

Former pop star and now garden designer Kim Wilde said: "It is easy to take them for granted, until they're gone."

The time has come to act, to protect them and keep them safe for our children and our grandchildren Kim Wilde

The appeal has also been backed by former England test cricketer and long-distance charity walker Ian Botham.

The Lake District National Park Authority has identified 145 paths which have become eroded, mainly by the Lake District weather and 28 million feet walking in the area each year.

Kirstie Royce, from the 'Fix the Fells' project, said an online appeal was chosen to enable people from all over the world to help.

She said: "We know we are asking a lot from people - �5m is a massive total.

"But we're confident that people who love the Lake District, no matter where they live or how often they walk here, will want to lend their support and help us reach our total as quickly as possible."

Ms Wilde said: "Once these footpaths have been destroyed there is no going back. We have to fix them now.

"The time has come to act, to protect them and keep them safe for our children and our grandchildren."