BUSINESS leaders have welcomed £3m in funding for tourism for the region - unveiled by the prime minister this week - but say urgent help for infrastructure is still top of their needs.

David Cameron travelled to Grasmere on Thursday as his series of measures to encourage visitors back to the Lake District following the devastating storms was announced.

The package of support will see £2m allocated to the repair of footpaths and byways within the National Park as well as a £1m marketing campaign to draw families from the South East to Cumbria this Easter.

But while business owners have welcomed the move, they say help to repair the county's 200 impassable roads and bridges is the key to getting the economy back on its feet.

Maria Whitehead, who runs Hawkshead Relish, in Hawkshead, explained she had mixed feelings about the visit from Mr Cameron and his funding announcement.

"I think coming here shows a willingness to listen and help," she said.

"Tourism is so important to us so we welcome the support.

"But I really felt it didn't show enough power wielding and it's not enough money.

"I've known some quiet winters but never like this. It's reminiscent of foot and mouth.

"Businesses need help and need it urgently and that's what we made clear to the prime minister yesterday."

Accompanied by floods minister and MP for Penrith and the Borders, Rory Stewart, Mr Cameron was welcomed to National Trust property Allan Bank, in Grasmere, by a small number of invited business owners for a round table meeting on the flood recovery efforts.  

Andy Airey, director of outdoor equipment firm George Fisher, was among those to discuss the issue with the PM.

He said: "Any cash is better than no cash but I think from the meeting the prime minister recognises there is a lot more than needs to be done to get things moving along."

Mr Cameron also stopped for a cappuccino with Conservative councillors for Windermere, Ben Berry and David Williams, as well as the Conservative police and crime commissioner candidate Peter McCall. 

Councillor Berry, a director of English Lakes Hotels, said: "People have genuine concerns about the infrastructure bill - and the A591 is a crucial road -  but we should be happy for the extra money and support the prime minister has announced."