Last updated 12:04, Tuesday, 19 August 2008

A RECORD amount has been raised for Lake District conservation projects this year.

The total, £143,000, has come from businesses and accommodation providers who promote specific projects to their visitors and guests.

A portion of each bill or attraction entry fee then goes towards helping to ensure the region is maintained for the future.

The figure represents an increase of a third on the £106,000 raised last year.

Claire Chapman, manager of the Tourism and Conservation Partnership, which co-ordinates the fund, explained everyone involved was delighted this year’s fund-raising had been such a success.

Ms Chapman said: “We find the majority of visitors are pleased that part of the money they pay for their accommodation, or the attraction they visit, is used for ‘green’ causes.

“Businesses can choose their fund-raising project from access, culture and community to wildlife and wilderness.”

She added: “Trust us, ‘going green’ is certainly good for business.”

Tourism and Conservation partnership members Gary and Ruth Thomason, owners of Lakeland Hideaways, a self-catering agency with properties in Hawkshead and Esthwaite Water, chose to support an access project for people who are less mobile.

Contributions from their business helped pay for a new bridge for the footpath between Hawkshead and Scar House Lane. The popular route is now accessible for wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs.

Mr Thomason said customers have the option of paying an additional £1 per booking – matched by the company – towards the cause.

He added: “We find our guests are more than happy to pay the extra £1 to go towards this important access project. It makes our visitors feel they are giving something back to the beautiful landscape they are staying in – plus with our 100 per cent match they know we are committed, too.”

Another member, the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, raised money for the author’s favourite walled vegetable garden at the Monk Coniston Estate.

A total of 50 per cent of the sales of eco-friendly bags sold in the attraction’s shop is donated to the fund.

General manager Richard Foster said: “Beatrix Potter was passionate about conservation, so it’s wonderful that the money raised from the bags for life will help to preserve one of her best-loved corners of the Lake District.”