MUCH ridicule is made of the occasional wacky research paper from the hallowed halls of academia - from unsurprising proof that drug-adled spiders produce wobbly webs to analaysis into such pressing matters as the relative benefits of running or walking in the rain.

But Cumbria's new think tank is pitching itself as a powerhouse of strictly relevant and purposeful study.

The remit of the International Centre for the Uplands, which was given its official send-off last Friday, is to commission high-quality research that fosters the long-term health and economic success of the Lakeland fells and other mountainous regions.

Based at Hackthorpe Hall, near Penrith, the new centre led by Lancaster University has not yet specified its exact research programme - aside from pointing out that it will cover everything from agriculture, agribusiness, new technology, environment to culture and tourism.

Topics for its staff of four plus commissioned researchers could include issues such as farm profitability, upland erosion or affordable housing.

But it will be partly relying on local people to submit their own ideas for useful reseach. The centre is also looking for people to sit on a board which will agree its study programme.

"I would be very interested to hear from anyone who has ideas for research or would like to be involved," urged centre director Kit Nicholson.

The high-profile unit has been backed by £736,000 of funding from Cumbria County Council, Rural Regeneration Cumbria - backed by North West Development Agency - and the Lake District National Park Authority.

Partners in the centre include the University of Central Lancashire, Voluntary Action Cumbria and Canada's Banff Centre for Mountain Culture.

Originally conceived in the height of the foot-and-mouth crisis, the supporting agencies are looking for it to generate fresh thinking to shape rural policy.

"If we don't have an impact on policy there is no point in us being here," said Dr Nicholson. "If we can look at better policies from around the world and demonstrate how they would benefit Cumbria, or by paper research, we will have done our job."

International research will be central to the programme and one project already pencilled in, is a look at how Australia and New Zealand have liberalised agricultural support but without offering agri-environment payments.

Dr Nicholson said it was crucial to study the uplands because they had a distinct combination of agriculture, landscape, tourism, plus artistic and cultural inspiration.

"The uplands are extremely important. They act as a barometer, an extreme example of problems common to many rural areas."

At Friday's launch at the Kendal Brewery Arts Centre, Lancaster University's vice chancellor Professor Paul Wellings hailed the centre as a "place to dream new ideas and find routes for their implementation". It would help build sustainablity to maintain vibrant uplands, he said.

CCC head of cultural policy Bruce Bennison read out a message of support from Chris Bonington CBE - one of the centre's early champions. RRC chairman Charles Woodhouse and NWDA chief executive Steve Broomhead both welcomed the centre and its potential for fostering rural regeneration.

Meanwhile, top-level backing came in a video message from Rural Affairs minister Alun Michael who said the centre would have a vital role to play in helping farmers face the fresh challenges on the 21st century.

Anyone keen to sumbit a research idea to the centre can get in touch on 01931-711112.