Thousands of EU nationals have been granted permission to continue living in South Lakeland ahead of this month's application deadline.

Around 3,380 people successfully applied to the EU settlement scheme in South Lakeland by the end of March, according to Home Office figures.

This was 300 more than the 3,080 who had been successful by the end of December, when the Brexit transition period ended.

EU citizens who have lived in the UK for at least five years and meet certain criteria can receive settled status and stay in the country indefinitely if they apply by June 30.

Those who have lived in the country for less time can obtain pre-settled status and the chance to reapply for settled status once they have done so for five years.

In South Lakeland, 1,870 applications had been granted settled status by March 31, and 1,510 pre-settled status – with 110 applications either refused, withdrawn or deemed invalid.

The highest number of applications were submitted by people from Poland, Romania and Hungary.