PEOPLE want to see more woodland in the Lake District, according to researchers at the University of Cumbria.

A survey to gauge public perceptions of woodland cover in the national park revealed that most people thought there were fewer trees than they expected.

Around 600 people took part in the research, carried out with Hill Top Partnerships, and 69 per cent said their most ‘destirable’ view of Lake District landscape would have more woodland.

Woods cover about 12 per cent of the national park, less than the UK average.

The survey set out to determine perceptions of the optimum level of woodland that would not spoil the character of the landscape.

Richard Lemmey, of Hill Top Partnerships, said: “This is a first step in working out how we can balance conserving our landscapes with the need to increase biodiversity and carbon mitigation.

“It is important to canvas views as widely as possible to represent the interests of all stakeholders."