CUMBRIA has nearly 640 potential millionaires, with nearly 80 living in the Milnthorpe and Arnside areas, according to research for Coutts & Co, the country's leading private bank, whose clients include members of the royal family.

Ian Booth, Coutts' private banker for Cumbria and Lancashire, said the majority of aspiring millionaires were company owners or partners in professional practices.

"The number of prospective millionaires is really growing in the region and many of these people have the potential to make fully fledged millionaire status from their assets if they obtain proper financial advice in time," said Mr Booth.

The bank's typical client locally was now much more likely to be a self-made entrepreneur rather than someone with inherited wealth, he added.