THE Lake District will get its own online television channel later this month.

Lakes TV goes live on July 27, featuring an array of gig and film reviews, cookery programmes, sports roundups, business features and documentaries.

There will also be a section where people can contribute their own film called Your Lakes.

The channel is in talks to have a weekly roundup of Lakes TV’s best bits featured on Sky channel 167 from the end of October.

An interview with Barrow artist John Duffin and a feature on the Laurel and Hardy museum will be early programmes aired by the station, while famous faces presenting on Lakes TV will include former This Morning presenter, Kim Inglis.

The station is the brainchild of former journalist, Gary Robinson, who said he had set up Lakes TV in response to changing viewer habits.

“People are now more inclined to get home and turn their computer on, rather than their television. Lakes TV is going to be at the forefront of that,” he said.

Mr Robinosn added that TV coverage of that the Lakes were too often considered an after thought of Granada and Border television.

“We looking to make broadcast quality television and reflect the area properly for the first time. The lakes isn’t just about hills and lakes. There’s a lot more to it when you scratch below the surface. We are going to give it a voice for the first time,” he said.

The station, which is expected to attract 20,000 hits a day, has its main base in The Canteen centre in Barrow, but is in talks to expand in Ulverston and Kendal.

A holding page featuring taster material is available at www.lakestv.net Anyone wishing to be featured on the channel is encouraged to get in touch on 01229 828884.