CUMBRIAN MP Tim Farron has written to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, urging him to provide compensation to local hospitality and tourism businesses that are facing mass cancellations as a result of tighter restrictions on neighbouring areas.

It comes as Greater Manchester has followed Merseyside and Lancashire in being placed into Tier 3, with the guidance for people not to travel out of those areas.

Mr Farron has been inundated with local hotels, B&B's and holiday cottages who are losing money through cancelled bookings from people living in areas in Tier 3.

Mr Farron said: “Many people in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside who were planning on spending their half-term holiday next week in the Lake District are now unable to do so.

“This is going to have a massive impact on local businesses who are already really struggling to survive.

“I want to support the Government in their efforts to tackle the virus, but these new restrictions simply must come with financial support for the jobs and businesses here in Cumbria that they are putting at risk.”