CUMBRIA has been touted as one of the best places in the country to run a rural business. 

A survey carried out by the CLA (Country Land and Business Association) has placed Cumbria at the top of the tree of its County League Table, beaten only by Cheshire.

The table scores each county on some of the main criteria which can support or challenge rural firms such as broadband and mobile coverage, adoption of local plans by planning authorities and opportunities for development of rural skills.

CLA North regional director, Dorothy Fairburn, said: “Cumbria scored highly on the planning section of our survey, which indicates local planning authorities have a positive attitude towards beneficial rural economic development."