CUMBRIA has been named as second in a list of the top 10 rural counties for running a rural business.

Published by the Country Land and Business Association, Cumbria was behind Cheshire in the list which looked at the estimated number of rural start-ups per 10,000 people in each county as well as connectivity, planning, local skills and innovation.

Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith and The Border, linked Cumbria’s accolade to the county’s superfast broadband revolution.

He said: “Cumbria really is the top northern destination for rural business, thanks largely to all the hard work of communities, government and the private sector on improving broadband. Of course there is still a long way to go, but it’s absolutely great to see these findings, which link so conclusively the improvement of internet and mobile connectivity to the increase of rural businesses and, in turn, the growth of the rural economy.”