AN ESTATE manager says he has been forced to take action to stop motorists getting lost on a narrow, single-track Lake District track after following their Apple iPhones.

Martin Kenyon, who lives on a remote private estate a mile-and-three-quarters north of Grasmere village, told the Gazette he believes the main culprit is Apple Maps, the mapping service provided on iPhones.

He said it appears to be wrongly directing tourists towards his home at Ghyll Foot Cottages and the isolated Greenburn Valley.

The 52-year-old, a volunteer with Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team, said he and neighbours had come across drivers led astray in the mistaken belief their Apple phones were directing them to Pooley Bridge, Wasdale Head, Bassenthwaite, and even Grange-over-Sands.

"We've had everywhere in the Lake District you can possibly imagine and it's still happening to this day," said Mr Kenyon. He and his neighbours have renamed Fridays "Apple Friday" because of how many people they see "driving around at 10.30 at night looking for their accommodation".

In a bid to stop cars and caravans blocking the lane, Mr Kenyon has narrowed the entrance with stones; placed a weighted bottle with the message "Private - No Visitor Attractions"; and put up signs, one of which was vandalised.

"One Friday evening in a two-hour period there were at least 10 different cars who either turned round at the top of the lane because of the sign, or came here and said they were lost and drove off again.".

Attempts have been made to speak to Apple, said Mr Kenyon. He and neighbours are asking drivers to log the errors with the tech giant.

He said one "really dreadful" case saw two young women walking up to Ghyll Foot believing their phones were directing them to holiday accommodation in Bowland Bridge. Neighbours came to their rescue by phoning a taxi driver.

"We seem to have forgotten how to use a road atlas and maps," said Mr Kenyon.

"We seem to rely so much on technology, which is brilliant, but looking at a map first gives you a rough idea of where you're going. It makes life a little bit easier."

The Gazette attempted to contact Apple.