THE historic Westmorland county should be recreated as a modern unitary authority, MP Tim Farron has suggested.

The Westmorland and Lonsdale MP spoke out as the debate hotted up over whether Cumbria should have one or more unitary authorities rather than the present county and six district councils.

His suggestion follows council leader Eddie Martin's statement last week that there should be fewer district councils in Cumbria.

Coun Martin said the current seven authorities could be cut down to three, two or even one unitary authority - that is, able to provide all local authority services.

Mr Farron said: “I'm happy to join all the other MPs, council leaders and, more importantly, the public in a discussion on the future of local government in Cumbria.

"I think we need to cut bureaucracy and costs and take out layers of local government. But my personal view is that we should re-create the old Westmorland county council. I think this will best fit the economy and challenges of Eden and South Lakeland.”

South Lakeland District Council leader Peter Thornton said it was important for the district to become involved in the debate about the future of local government in Cumbria.