A CUMBRIAN author and hotelier has been selected to join the team at the BBC's Children in Need.

Simon Bennett, owner of Augill Castle in Kirkby Stephen, has been appointed to the Northern Regional Committee of the charity.

Mr Bennett, who has amassed more than 20 years experience as a school governor, was chosen due to his deep understanding of the rural deprivation issues that affect young people in the county.

The role will see Mr Bennett help to review funding applications from across the north of England and form part of the committee that reaches its final decision on which charities will receive grants.

Stretching from north Lincolnshire to the Scottish Border, the Northern Regional Committee covers Children in Need’s largest and most diverse region.

Mr Bennett's appointment comes as the national charity seeks to extend its support to Cumbria and identify further projects that can help tackle the rural issues that young people in the county are facing.

"There will be much for me still to learn about the issues facing young people across the north - growing up in very different sorts of places to Cumbria - but I am really looking forward to the challenge," he said.

"I’m happy to increase my commitment to providing the best possible start for young people whatever their background may be."