THE 2020 Lakeland Book of the Year has been announced in the first virtual awards ceremony in its 36 year history.

The Lake District in 101 Maps and Infographics by David Felton, Evelyn Sinclair and Andrew Chapman, took the top spot claiming the book of the year.

Head judge Hunter Davies described it as an 'incredible book'.

David Felton said: “I was so pleased that Hunter, Fiona and Eric were able to find a way to make these awards happen, which play such a key role in the life of Cumbrian publishing. It has been a really tough few months for those of us working in the local book trade, and this was a really welcome boost for a book that I loved working on alongside illustrator Evelyn Sinclair and designer Andrew Chapman."

A special mention was also made to runner up Slightly Perfect by John Cunliffe, who sadly passed away earlier this year after entering his entertaining memoir of a life in hospitality including his time at the Gilpin Hotel.

The Striding Edge Prize for Guides and Places was awarded to Grasmere: A History in 55 ½ Buildings by Grasmere History Society, The Bill Rollinson Prize for Landscape and Tradition was awarded to Hows and Knotts: A Guide to Lakeland Views by Guy Richardson, and The Latitude Press Prize for Illustration and Presentation was awarded to The Lake District in 101 Maps & Infographics by David Felton, Evelyn Sinclair and Andrew Chapman.

The Magpie’s Nest by Taffy Thomas was awarded The Bookends Prize for Literature and Poetry, Slightly Perfect by John Cunliffe won the People & Business category and Secrects of the Flock by J.B. Browne won the Fiction category.

The 2020 awards also included for the very first time a children’s poetry competition.

The first place prize was awarded to The Rope Swing by George Hathorn, second place to My Loveliest Spot is a Secret by Grace Hill and third Place to Dancing Grass by Eliza Hudson

All three winners of the poetry competition will receive a selection of vouchers from local Cumbrian attractions, including Treetop Nets, Lakeland Motor Museum, Windermere Lake Cruises, Honister Slate Mine, Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, Rheged Cinema, Lake District Coast Aquarium, Tullie House, Derwent Water Marina and Lingholm Kitchen.