Talkin Tarn County Park is a lake in farm and woodland

Cumbria County Council says it is close to transferring Talkin Tarn, near Brampton, to Carlisle City Council.

The council says it believes it is the best way to keep the 65-acre lake, set in 120 acres of farm and woodland, open to the public for future years.

The proposal is to transfer control of the country park to the city council but to retain ownership of the Talkin Tarn Hotel.

A final decision is due to be made at a full council meeting on Thursday.

'Valuable area'

Under the proposed deal, the county council will provide the city council with an annual revenue subsidy of �40,000 for five years.

Cabinet member for property and asset control, Tim Heslop, said: "I believe this proposal represents the best way forward for the tarn and for the staff and visitors.

"When the county council first revealed its plans to dispose of Talkin Tarn, there were fears that a valuable recreation area would be lost to the public.

"But we have created a permanent public right of way around the tarn and the deal with the city council means that Talkin Tarn will be open to the public for many years to come."