FROM fell running to field names, sausages to sheepdog trials - Hunter Davies' new book takes readers on a personal journey through Lakeland and offers a tongue in cheek look at what makes Cumbria so unique.

Famed for his biographical writing as well as his journalistic prose, Hunter was raised in Carlisle and has often turned to Cumbria for inspiration.

His new book, 'Lakeland: A Personal Journey', reads like a scrapbook - something that Hunter said was intentional.

"Everything is from my collections," he said. "All the words are either lifted from other people or it's stuff I have written over the years."

Having spent every summer in the Lake District for nearly half a century, there are arguably few people more qualified to write about the area with the same authority and engagement that Hunter was able to.

The book offers historical insight into the lives of famous Cumbrians, looks to some of the area's most picturesque fells and is also peppered with personal insights.

In the chapter entitled 'The Cumbrian Character...and Some Cumbrian Characters', Hunter says that Cumbrians are 'private people' who are 'stoical' and 'wary of newcomers'.

"My wife was a true Cumbrian," he said. "The nature of the Cumbrian character is to never be impressed, never show much emotion."

He went on to add that his experience was more related to the north of the county, describing South Lakeland as like 'the Mediterranean' in comparison.

Although his insights might spark some outrage, there is a good sense of humour behind them and a clear warmth for the Cumbrian people.

Going into more detail, he highlights the achievements of notable individuals from the area - including the renowned fell runner Joss Naylor; the 5th Earl of Lonsdale, Hugh Cecil Lowther and Kendal's Jonathan Dodgson Carr, who according to legend walked from Kendal to Carlisle to set up a bread shop - later, he would open the world's first ever factory for manufacturing biscuits.

In his 'Miscellaneous Lakeland A-Z', Hunter urges Lakeland lovers to attend the two big sports days at Grasmere and Ambleside, to have a go at the art of dry stone walling and to even attempt to recreate a Lakeland dish called 'Herb Pudding.'