After months of silence it looks like the sale of one of Cumbria's most iconic mountains could be reaching its peak.

A statement released earlier today (October 7) by the chairman of an action group dedicated to buying Blencathra and keeping it in public hands revealed they are still in with a chance of achieving their goal.

Debbie Cosgrove, Chairman of Friends of Blencathra, said: "I am sure you have all wondered what has been happening as things have been so quiet. I am finally able to tell you that our lawyer is meeting the lawyer from the trustees of the Estate to discuss moving our proposals forward. This meeting has been scheduled in for next Friday. Many thanks for your ongoing support."

Speaking exclusively to the Gazette, Debbie said: "We have a meeting between our lawyers and theirs at the end of next week so I assume it is fair to say that we are very much in the running as I don't think either side would waste time meeting when a letter or email would have sufficed.

"It is hard not to see this as anything but positive."

H and H Land and Property, the company handling the sale of Blencathra for Shap-based Lord Lonsdale, who was forced to put it on the market to help pay a £9million inheritance tax, declined to comment on the matter.

MORE TOP STORIES: