PLANS for a series of flood relief schemes for Windermere have been agreed upon by local communities and the Environment Agency.

The package of works, which will cost £3.6 million, include river dredging at the lake's southern outlet, increasing water flow at the 'bottleneck' Backbarrow Bridge and constructing flood defence walls at Newby Bridge.

The plans were agreed at meeting of the Windermere Lake Levels group, and the proposals will now to be taken to Westminster by MP Tim Farron in an effort to secure funding for the project.

The Government has so far rejected previous flood relief schemes for Windermere, Bowness and Backbarrow, claiming they failed to meet their 'cost/benefit criteria,' but Mr Farron said he was determined to secure the required backing for the new proposals.

“I will continue to be adamant that local people shouldn’t have to pay a penny for flood protection – the Government owe it to the communities in Windermere, Bowness and Backbarrow to fund these vital defences," he said.

"I’ve contacted the Environment Agency to clarify the details on costing so that we don’t give the Government any excuses to wriggle out of their duty to protect local people.

“It’s now my job to take this plan to Whitehall and bang on the door of ministers to get them to fund it.”