FIX the Fells volunteers were nominated as finalists in the Groundwork Trust Community Awards 2018 for “best contribution to environmental sustainability” for their work protecting Lake District paths and landscape.

The volunteer lengthsmen are a group of 120 trained volunteers who support full-time National Trust upland path teams to undertake routine path maintenance and repairs to protect the Lakeland fells from erosion and damage.

Last year, volunteers spent 2,237 days in the fells, looking after the mountain paths – a record number of volunteer days for the scheme which began 10 years ago.

Their path maintenance work covers 330 different upland paths comprising a length of some 650 kilometres in distance. The volunteers are out several times each week throughout the year and in all weathers helping to maintain a World Heritage Site.

The core work of the volunteers involves ‘drain runs’ - maintenance patrols which ensure paths are kept clear and their water drainage is working effectively.

The drain run process is organised and managed by the volunteers themselves who have developed and organised their efforts into an exemplar scheme which is now being copied across the country.

Groundwork judges said: "This project shows great collaboration and a model that can be replicated more widely.”

Volunteer Barry Capp said, “It is a really great recognition for the year-round hard work and effort that all the volunteer lengthsmen put into maintaining the upland fell paths of the Lake District, and is certainly much appreciated by everybody involved.”