Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has written to YMCA, urging them to make sure community is protected on the lakefront at Windermere.

It comes as YMCA North Camp near Newby Bridge has been put up for sale.

On Friday, Tim was presented with a 1,500-signature strong at South Windermere Sailing Club which called for community access to the site to be protected.

In his letter to the YMCA Tim said: “Having recently completed the Windermere Marathon, it emphasised to me all the more how little of the frontage of England’s biggest and most popular lake is accessible to the people it is meant to be there for.

“The YMCA has had a sterling history of making sure that the sites it operates on the shore of Windermere have been accessible to the public.

“With news of the impending sale of the property comes the expected fears of change that may see access to the lakefront limited by the new owners.

“Even if YMCA feel they have no choice but to sell, we should ensure that the land is sold with the caveat that access must be retained at the same level that is currently enjoyed by the public.”