POSTCARDS from some of Britain’s most famous faces will go on show in Cumbria this month to show the county is open for business after last November’s floods.

Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellen, Paul O’Grady and Andrew Flintoff are just a handful of nearly 100 names to have provided personal anecdotes of times they have enjoyed in Cumbria.

“I owe my career break to Cumbria where we filmed Withnail & I in 1986 at Wet Sleddale and in Penrith,” said Richard E. Grant on one of his messages.

“Cumbria is a national treasure,” said Sir Patrick Stewart OBE. “When my son Daniel was 18 months old I hiked, with my son on my back, around the Langdale Valley and the Langdale Pikes. Now he is 42 and 6ft 4ins and very soon will be carrying me. I’ll suggest we return to Langdale which I loved and will always remember.”

“I learnt to row a boat in Grasmere as a little girl with my family,” said Dame Judi Dench. “I’ve had so many lovely times in the Lakes since – and I always want to go back.”

“I’ve loved the Lake District all my life! Such awesome childhood holidays!” said Tess Daly.

“A couple of summers ago I did the coast to coast walk through Cumbria,” said comedian and writer Frank Skinner. “Doing six or seven miles of foot slogging before picking the most beautiful vantage point to sit and have my pack-lunch was a truly special experience.”

“Whenever I meet new people one of the first things I tell them is where I’m from,” said Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton. “I never need to ‘sell’ Cumbria, most people have heard how beautiful it is and they’re not wrong. I don’t think people know what they’re missing. There really isn’t anywhere that compares!”

The celebrity postcards are part of Cumbria Tourism’s Wish You Were Here campaign to bring tourism and business back into the area.

All 92 of the postcards will be displayed at Cockermouth Town Hall from May 20 to June 2.

After the two week run in Cockermouth the exhibition will tour Cumbria throughout the summer.

Cumbria Tourism Chief Executive Ian Stephens said: “The response from these famous people has been incredible. They have gone over and above what we asked of them and it’s been heart warming to hear that so many of these hugely talented people have a genuine fondness for Cumbria.

“The scenery is spectacular, our welcome is warm and now we have almost 100 celebrities singing the praises of our county.”

For more information visit www.wishyouwereherecumbria.co.uk