HUNDREDS of people joined together in an eye-catching demonstration against plans to build giant pylons in the heart of beautiful countryside.

Around 200 people flocked to a field next to Burlington Primary School in Kirkby to form a giant "No!" next door to National Grid's consultation event.

Communities across the area have long been campaigning against the plans but two Kirkby residents decided to step up their game as National Grid representatives came to visit.

Gerry Scott, of Tippins Lane in Kirkby, said: "I've been working together with Bryony Karasek as a sort of action team and we just felt that something more visual needed to be done because of the strength of feeling in the village and we thought that this was the best way to show it."

Mrs Karasek, who has been busy campaigning against the plans alongside her three children, added: "It was brilliant. It was great to see so many people coming out to support it.

"It just made my heart beat faster and made me more determined to carry on the fight."

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Campaigners in the villages have been busy visiting residents, listening to concerns and showing people how they can make their voices heard.

Almost every house is adorned with a bright pink poster saying "no pylons" and campaigners are urging everyone, regardless of age or address, to respond to the consultation questionnaire.

Mrs Karasek said: "Every member of the household can respond, not just one. "You don't have to be a resident or over the age of 18 - all my children have been writing to National Grid.

"The more people who respond the better."

After the demonstration, scores of people headed into the school to grill National Grid representatives on the plans.

Senior project manager for the North West Coast Connections Project Neil Lyons was thrilled to see so many people at the event.

He said: "This is a genuine consultation and we want people to tell us what they think about our proposals.

"If they do that and leave us feedback we will, of course, consider what they say.

"If anyone has any concerns or issues they can contact us on a freephone number and we will direct them to the information they need."

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Leader of Kirkby Pressure Group Ian Parmee said it was "heartening" to see so many people turn out for the event and is encouraging everyone to write to National Grid.

He said: "The message to everyone now is respond, respond, respond - either by letter or email or via the Friends of the Lake District dedicated web pages - and be sure to call for the 'no pylon' alternatives to be considered and implemented."