A NEW man is set to take the reins at the Lake District National Park Authority this summer after members appointed a new chief executive today.

The North West regional director of Natural England, Richard Leafe, replaces Paul Tiplady, who took early retirement from the authority last November after more than eight years in charge.

Mr Leafe, who has been at Natural England (formerly English Nature) since 1990, is set to join the authority in the summer.

For the full story see Friday's Westmorland Gazette.