A GRADE II-listed landmark in a South Lakeland village is set to be replaced after deteriorating over time.

The new Market Cross obelisk in Cartmel is to replicate the original - with the existing tapering section to be displayed in an indoor setting 'for archaeological posterity'.

The application, submitted by Cllr Barry Dean on behalf of Allithwaite and Cartmel Parish Council, has been approved by South Lakeland District Council.

Planning documents stressed the Market Cross was 'a popular public stopping point in the village' and warned it would 'not be around for much longer' without intervention.

"Locals gather to chat in relative safety away from the traffic, and tourists stop there to eat lunch or recentre themselves whilst exploring, and to take photos, and to this day the fish trader still comes and trades next to the Market Cross," said a spokesman for John Coward Architects in the heritage and design statement submitted as part of the application.

The spokesman said deterioration of the landmark would constitute a 'great public loss'.

He described 'delamination' of the head of the landmark, erosion of the base and 'fractures where embedded metal has corroded and expanded, cracking and breaking the masonry'.

"The existing plinth is to be temporarily removed whilst all the stone steps are lifted so that a new concrete base/foundation can be laid," he said.

"The stone steps will be reinstated, with some new imported stone to replace broken pieces."

The spokesman said: "Trial holes are to be dug next to the fish-slab supports to ascertain if there are foundations and if they are adequate.

"If they are, the existing supports will be retained.

"If not, they will be temporarily removed so that new foundations can be cast to prevent further movement. The supports will then be reset.

"The stone slabs atop are to be temporarily removed whilst the northern fractured slab is repaired with new stone to match the existing.

"Both slabs are to be reinstated with concealed stainless-steel reinforcement."

The spokesman said the stone cobbles would be lifted then reinstated after completion of the repair works.

The existing bin and bollards are also to be replaced, as well as any tarmac or yellow lines affected by the scheme.