RESIDENTS could leave a popular Lake District valley if plans for a zip wire go ahead, it has been claimed.

The prospect emerged after around 60 people attended a public meeting in Glenridding where they raised concerns about the adventure proposal by Treetop Trek.

Afterwards, local resident Rob Shephard told the Gazette: "The main theme of the meeting was that this is causing a lot of stress and anxiety, plus tension between neighbours and friends who are in favour or not.

"There are some people who think it is a good idea and that it will enhance their lives, but some families say they will leave because it will be a blight on their lives."

An unofficial straw poll which was held at the meeting saw one person supporting the zip wire plan - Mike Turner, the businessman behind the proposal.

Mr Turner, managing director of Treetop Trek, which currently runs three parallel 250m zip wires at Brockhole, Windermere, said the plans were in the early stages and that he was prepared to work with the community to make it more acceptable.

He also said he wouldn't proceed without the parish council support.

Patterdale Parish Council chairman Patricia Stavropoulos said people were feeling more strongly about the zip wire than at a previous public meeting in September.

"At the moment we're still trying to get as many views as possible and the meeting discussed the possibility of a vote.

"When pushed by individuals at the meeting, Mr Turner did say if he felt the majority of people in the community were against it they wouldn't go ahead with it.

"People are upset with the developer and very, very upset with the Lake District National Park Authority."

Mr Shephard said there was concern the authority was already 'in favour' of the scheme.

They are owners of the land which would be included in this prospective location, and therefore would benefit from money made by the tourist attraction.

But Dave McGowan, head of development management at LDNPA, said: "At present we have not received an application and if we do we will carry out consultation and publicity in the usual manner."

The parish council said it has invited Mr Turner and park authority chief executive Richard Leafe to its next meeting on December 3, in the Village Hall at 7pm.