A festival born out of 'frustration and heartache' caused by the foot-and-mouth crisis has been officially launched as a celebration of the area's mountainous heritage.

Local, national and international figures came together for the opening ceremony of The Cumbrian Mountain Festival 2002, which aims to showcase the mountain's beauty, history and people.

Patrons Sir Chris Bonington CBE and Lord Inglewood MEP were among the invited guests at Rheged Discovery Centre, Penrith, where Swiss ambassador Bruno Spinner launched the festival, which forms part of the British-Swiss venture Dialogue Across Mountains and the UN's International Year of Mountains.

The occasion marked the start of a long-running series of events at venues including Brockhole visitor centre, Coniston's Ruskin Museum, the Wasdale Head Inn, Ambleside's Armitt Museum, Muncaster Castle and Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre.

Mountain Rescue Teams have also thrown their weight behind the venture by organising displays over the coming months with the rescue dog team SARDA and the RAF, highlighting the dedication of team members as well as the dangers of mountain activities.

Festival chairman David Penlington said the event 'was born out of the frustration and heartache caused by the devastating effects of the foot and mouth epidemic on the county'.

"In stark contrast the festival now epitomises the optimism in the future for sustainable tourism and conservation in this most beautiful area of the world," he said.

"The part played by the early tourist pioneers in establishing the concept of sustainable tourism cannot be overstated.

It is ironic that some 200 years on we are now looking to the mountains to again provide the impetus for tourist and commercial regeneration."

Event supporters include Business Link's Rural Regeneration Fund, the North West Development Agency, the Northern Rock Foundation, the Swiss Alpine Club and Cumbria Tourist Board.

For more details visit the Tourist Information Centre or log on to www.mountain-heritage.co.uk