Tourism businesses across Furness will be urged to work closer together at a forum next week.

Cumbria Tourism is working with Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock to hold the summit, which aims to encourage businesses to showcase the opportunities on offer for visitors all year-round.

The event, on Friday April 26, at Ford Park in Ulverston, will feature speakers including Mr Woodcock; Cumbria Tourism’s managing director Gill Haigh; Carl Bevan, of Associated British Ports; Susannah Bleakley, of the Morecambe Bay Partnership and Maddi Nicholson, of Art Gene.

Mr Woodcock said: “Furness is bursting with attractions and places of real interest and beauty, but the peninsula can easily fall below the radar.

"In recent years we have seen strong tourism growth in other areas outside the Lake District, with Carlisle performing particularly well for example. I believe Furness is more than capable of mirroring that improvement and a louder voice should help the area to achieve that.”

Mrs Haigh added: “Our most recent analysis confirms 3.1 million people visited Furness in 2017.

" I strongly believe that increase isn’t representative of what Furness has to offer and is capable of achieving.

“The gateway to Furness is only 15 minutes away from the Lake District and there is plenty to enjoy during a visit lasting several days or longer.

"Places like Furness Abbey, Piel Island, the Dock Museum, South Lakes Safari Zoo, Walney Island, Sandscale Haws nature reserve and stunning coastal walks all contribute to great getaway experiences.

"I had a similar message at a tourism summit for Copeland in February and once again, I’m very much looking forward to joining John Woodcock MP and our other key speakers at this one.”