TOWNS across South Lakeland could soon benefit from free Wi-Fi - if private sector funding comes forward.

A year-long pilot scheme in Kendal run by South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) is due to finish in April.

The project, which cost the taxpayer £25,000 and has attracted nearly 12,000 users, allows access to free internet in the main shopping streets and was designed to boost the attractiveness of town centres.

A welcome screen is displayed giving information on shops, restaurants, attractions, events and services in the town.

The authority said there had been an appetite from other towns to get involved but that the current model was ‘unsustainable’ to roll-out to more areas.

So now SLDC is hoping firms will get onboard with the idea in a procurement process to begin in the next few months.

Matt Williams, economic development officer at SLDC, said the private sector would pay for the apparatus and running costs.

In return they would use a landing page on users’ smartphones to promote themselves and the area.

He said: “The pilot has proved to be successful so it would be a shame if all that good work disappeared and the scheme is not seen anywhere else.

“Other communities have come to us and said it is in Kendal, how can we get it here?

“So we have recognised that demand - but it is a costly exercise and to multiply that across the district would be unsustainable for the council.”

Chris Nelson, from Ulverston Business Improvement District, said: “Any scheme promoting Ulverston on a digital basis is something we would support and encourage.”

Consultancy firm Regional Network Solutions were appointed by the council to help establish the most effective way forward.

They concluded that there was interest in the market to engage with the council to deliver free Wi-Fi - particularly in high footfall areas which would suit a commercial model.

Towns which fell under that included Kendal, Ulverston, Ambleside, Bowness and Windermere.

A delegated decision was then made by council officers to push ahead with the proposal, which would not see any cash invested by the council, but instead using council-owned assets to install the equipment on.

Mr Williams added Cumbria County Council may get involved, which would allow equipment to be put on their property, including street lightning.

If all goes to plan it is hoped the scheme will be up-and-running after summer.