Famous author and former president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Bill Bryson, has spoken out in support of an effort to clean up the Cumbrian countryside.

The Great Cumbrian Litter Pick is set to place across the county on Friday July 6.

Nearly 20 local schools, villages, towns and organisations from right around Cumbria have already signed up to the clean-up.

In backing The Great Cumbrian Litter Pick, Bill Bryson, famous for his wry travel writing observations said: "As a lover of the Lake District, I am filled with admiration and gratitude for the heroic people who give up their time to pick up others' careless litter and keep this treasured landscape lovely. It's a shame it has to be done, but God bless them for doing it.

"I have to say I am appalled to hear that you have to do a litter pick on Scafell Pike. What is the world coming to? I hope the day is a huge success."

Ruth Kirk, Landscape Engagement Officer with Friends of the Lake District said: "We’re hoping that thousands of people of all ages and all communities will rise to the challenge and show their support, getting involved either as a group registering a community litter pick in their area or as an individual, signing up to join and organised event."