Self-catering holiday specialist, Cumbrian Cottages has appointed a new business bevelopment manager.

Anthony Bottomley now manages properties in the Lake District in a patch which extends to the west coast and includes Keswick, Workington, Whitehaven, Cleator Moor and Egremont.

He started work as a travel agent when he was just 17 and has previously worked for British Airways and First Choice.

His role will involve helping holiday property owners in the region keep their booking numbers high all year round.

Mr Bottomley said: “Moving to Cumbria was one of the easiest decisions we’ve had to make as a family. The region is simply stunning and there’s so much more on offer here than just lakes and mountains. For me, one of the highlights of living here is how friendly everyone is and this is something that spills over into the tourism industry too.

“More people than ever are choosing to stay in the UK for their holidays and with the area gaining UNESCO World Heritage status, we expect the demand for breaks in the Lake District is going to rise even further.

“We’re finding that guests are beginning to expect a greater level of luxury from self-catering holiday accommodation and that’s why it’s more important than ever for property owners to speak to an expert about what visitors to the area are looking for, and where the greatest demand lies, so that they can maximise their income from their holiday let.”