WESTMORLAND and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has flown out to a Greek island to witness the refugee crisis.

Mr Farron, who is leader of the Liberal Democrats, is in Lesvos where tens of thousands of refugees have travelled from Turkey to escape what has been described as a "humanitarian disaster".

Almost 3,000 people have drowned as they attempt to flee war and persecution in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Eritrea and other countries.

On his Twitter account, Mr Farron said it was "time for the UK to wake up to the crisis".

In a video interview posted online, Mr Farron said one of the first things he saw on his arrival in Lesvos today was "abandoned dinghies, pretty meagre inflatables, not something I'd risk taking on Windermere, let alone a sea crossing".

Paul Butters, a spokesman for Mr Farron, said the MP was due to fly back to the UK tomorrow.