TOURISTS are being encouraged to think about the damage their footsteps do to the treasured Lake District landscape.

Cumbria-based holiday let company Lakelovers is seeking the help of visitors to help repair popular upland footpaths in the Lake District.

The firm is giving its holiday cottage guests a chance to boost the charity Fix the Fells by donating cash and “mucking in” alongside its volunteers who work to protect paths from erosion by maintaining and repairing them.

Lakelovers aims to help Fix the Fells maintain 40 paths around the Lake District to mark its 40th year in the holiday letting business. With more than 15.8 million people visiting the Lake District every year and with 87 per cent of these heading out for walks to enjoy the spectacular scenery, it takes its toll on the picturesque pathways.

“Since the 1990s, it was clear to see that path erosion was becoming a serious issue in the Lake District,” said Paul Liddell, managing director of Lakelovers.

“It is wonderful that visitor numbers to the Lake District are significantly increasing and we want our 60,000 guests each year to go out and enjoy the outstanding outdoor activities this beautiful part of the world has to offer, but with millions of feet striding across it every year, the landscape is irrevocably damaged.

“So, we want to help Fix the Fells. We will do this by providing holidaymakers the opportunity to donate to Fix the Fells, to fund designated rangers within the National Trust to work on the uplands.

“And our staff and guests will have the opportunity to volunteer too.

“We hope to raise awareness and provide tourists with a greater understanding of the environmental impact that they have on the fells.

“If everyone can do even a little bit, whether donate some money to the cause, or muck in and help volunteer for a few hours, it will help to preserve the picturesque and spectacular Lake District paths for generations to come.”

In July, Lakelovers employees will form teams to walk 40 Wainwrights in one day to bolster funds for Fix the Fells.

Fix the Fells is a partnership project between the Lake District National Park, National Trust, Natural England, Nurture Lakeland and Friends of the Lake District. It works to maintain and repair upland paths suffering from erosion caused by hikers to preserve the “stunning beauty” of the Lake District’s mountains.

It has already repaired 200 paths and has 268 paths identified for repair work, maintenance or monitoring.