YOUNG people in Barrow and Copeland are set to leave in greater numbers than any other coastal areas of the country, new research has shown.

Projections from the Office of National Statistics for the next 20 years estimated that people under 30 would leave the two local authority areas in greater percentages than other coastal communities.

Copeland is estimated to see an 18 per cent decline in residents under 30 before 2039 and Barrow 16 per cent.

The Parliamentary Group for Coastal Communities said funding cuts meant seaside towns were 'being left behind'.

The government said it had invested more than £200m in coastal communities.

Barrow and Furness’s independent MP John Woodcock said: “This decline in the population of young Barrovians is concerning to say the least, but we need to keep making the positive case for why Barrow is such a fantastic place for them to live and work.

“Recent years have seen many new opportunities in the Furness area, from the Future Leaders Academy for the very youngest, to the introduction of university accredited courses at Furness College, but all too often the lure of city life wins out.

“We need to invest now in key projects such as the Marina village and developing our high street, and strengthen connections between our schools and the world leading STEM companies in the area if we want to beat the trends to help keep our young people in the area.”

Copeland MP Trudy Harrison said: “As a born and raised West Cumbrian, mum of four daughters aged between 16 and 21 years and one of Government’s apprenticeship ambassadors, reading this worrying statistic focused my mind on the work to be done.

“It is why I back nuclear, West Cumbria Mining, the Honister Zip Wire, the investment into our schools and hospitals and the abundance of apprenticeship opportunities available to young people.

“Growing up I remember wanting to move out of the area. Now, working in London I appreciate the freedom, friendliness and adventure of Cumbria.”