Rural minister visits Cumbria

Mr Michael will see how footpaths have been improved

The countryside minister Alun Michael is in Cumbria on Monday.

He will visit a farm near Penrith and a rural transport scheme in the Kendal area.

The minister is taking a look at how government money is being spent in Cumbria.

At a farm at Stainton near Penrith, he will see how footpaths have been improved under the countryside stewardship scheme, and a farm shop and tea rooms opened with the aid of grants.

In Kendal, Mr Michael will hand over the keys to two minibuses which have been paid for by Cumbria County Council.

Studies have shown how people, especially youngsters, living in rural areas often missed out on opportunities for work or entertainment because of poor public transport.

Mr Michael's visit comes as Lord Haskins is investigating how the millions of pounds used to help rural areas is distributed.