Cumbria’s visitor economy is the key to helping the county’s retailers flourish, according to a tourism expert.

Windermere-based solicitor Stuart Bailey believes the positive impact of the county’s £3bn tourism industry is the key to reversing the slowdown in summer sales in Cumbria.

The latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker revealed that high street sales nationally fell by 0.8 per cent in June compared to the same month last year.

The figures also mark 16 out of 17 consecutive months of no in-store sales growth.

Mr Bailey said: "Whether you are based in one of the so-called ‘honeypot’ tourist areas or not, I firmly believe that the more Cumbrian shops that can accommodate the tourism sector, the better for all of us who live and work here.

"By evolving and diversifying the customer experience, shops can appeal more to visitors wanting to buy gifts."