Talkin Tarn County Park is a lake in farm and woodland

The future of Talkin Tarn, which includes a lake and woodland near Brampton, has been in doubt since 2002.

Now Carlisle City Council says it has agreed in principle to the site being transferred into its ownership from Cumbria County Council.

But city council bosses want assurances problems with algae will be dealt with.

A transfer deal looked like being scuppered in November, when city councillors demanded a feasibility study into the site.

They wanted the Tarn End Hotel to be included in any transfer deal and requested more information on the cost of managing the tarn, which has a wealth of wildlife.

They also asked for more detailed investigation of the costs of treatment and of future management of the tarn, given problems with blue algae, and health and safety concerns.

Budget process The county council says the Tarn End Hotel has been run as a separate commercial operation since it was first bought from the Boothby Estates by the then Cumberland County Council in 1970.

It says it has provided all necessary financial information relating to the site to the city council.