A new online voting competition is pitching Cumbria against the rest of the country to find out where is England's proudest place.
The Pride of Place Poll goes live today on the council's website www.cumbria.gov.ukand Cumbria County Council wants to know what makes Cumbrians feel proudest about Cumbria.
We've asked some local figureheads for their choices and now Cumbrians can vote for their favourite.
The nominations are:
Tim Backshall (ITV Border presenter) - Ullswater Sir Chris Bonington (Mountaineer) - Black Sail youth hostel Lord Melvyn Bragg (Writer and Broadcaster) - Lake District hill farmers Chris Carr (Vice Chancellor, University of Cumbria) - Carlisle Cathedral Scott Carson (Aston Villa goalkeeper) - Ennerdale Water Robbie Dee (CFM presenter) - Aira Force Craig Mackey (Chief Constable, Cumbria Constabulary) - Blencathra Paul Nixon (England cricketer) - Causey Pike Tim Stoddard (Leader, Cumbria County Council) - Scafell Pike Simon Yates (Mountaineer) - The Golf Course Road, Penrith
To cast your vote and found out more about the choices, simply log on to our website www.cumbria.gov.ukand click on the Pride of Place icon. The poll is easy, fun and a great way to get to know more about Cumbria.
Tim Stoddard, Leader of Cumbria County Council, said:
"The county council's slogan is 'Building Pride in Cumbria' , so this nationwide poll sits well alongside our local aims. We want to show the country just how proud Cumbrians feel about this magnificent county. The more votes logged on our website, the more proof we'll have of the strength of local feeling."
Notes
The Pride of Place poll can be accessed until 30 November 2007 after which the results will be released.
The poll is part of the Government's "Connect to your Council" campaign which aims to encourage citizens across England to access their local authority services online anytime, anywhere. Citizens can now use council websites to find out anything from planning information to applying for school places. Find out more at www.direct.gov.uk/mycouncil
ENDS
Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, News Manager on 01228 606332