The impact of Brexit on Cumbria is an "unknown" risk facing the county council, a new report has found.

The UK's uncertain withdrawal from the European Union has proved impossible for councils to properly plan for, it said.

As a result, Brexit has been ranked as an "emerging risk" facing Cumbria's top tier authority in the months to come.

Julie Crellin, the authority's director of finance, made the warning to councillors on its audit and assurance committee.

She wrote: "The impact of Brexit for local government and the county council specifically are unknown at this stage.

"Cumbria County Council has been tracking developments through routine policy scanning work and liaison with the Local Government Association (LGA) and County Council Network (CCN).

"Due to the uncertainty, detailed scenario planning is not possible." 

A group of senior officers - headed by a council director - have found that Brexit could affect the council on a number of fronts.

These range from having to work to new rules to "economic, market-driven and asset" risks. There could also be a potential impact on its workforce and vital services, the report said.

Working alongside Cumbria's Local Enterprise Partnership, the council has made representations to the Government about the impacts on farming, land management and farm support payments.

County council chief executive Katherine Fairclough is also one of only 22 council bosses to be "invited" to liaise directly with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MCHLG).

A council spokesman said: “We are very keen that Cumbria’s voice is heard at a national level and in particular ensure that any unique and local factors are taken into account as future policies begin to emerge.

"It is also positive that we have been approached to be part of these conversations and  although it is early days we are looking forward to working closely with the MCHLG.”

The Local Government Association, which has 415 councils as members,  warned earlier this year of a "significant impact" on local government.

“Brexit will ultimately be judged as a success or failure by localities: real people in real communities. That’s why we are working with Government and engaging with the expertise of local government to ensure we get these crucial negotiations right for local communities.”