THE Westmorland Gazette has launched a new Forum section on its website - www.thewestmorlandgazette. co.uk - to provide the public with a place to exchange views on topics of shared interest.

It aims to get people talking about a variety of hot topics affecting the Lakes, South Lakeland, Furness, north Lancashire and the Eden Valley.

There is even the opportunity to kick-start debate on a topic of your choice.

Community members are already posting topics and inviting people to join in with their comments.

"We are really pleased to be able to offer this service," said Web Editor Kate Whiteside. "There are so many important issues that people want to be part of, and now there is one central place they can go to talk about it online.

"We have had a very positive response from local government staff, who feel it will help them get feedback from their public on key issues."

Topics already on the site reflect issues that local people have shown they feel strongly about. For example, one forum asks: Should we continue to seek World Heritage Status for the Lake District National Park?' Another asks: Is the Lake District becoming a litter pit? What can we do to get rid of the grot spots?' The Gazette has also set up a Go Green' forum to meet the public's interest in green issues.

Community forums have been set up for Barrow, Kendal, Staveley, Ulverston, Windermere. Visitors simply click on the community name and join an existing topic discussion or create their own. Current topics include regeneration and climate change.

On the sporting front, forums include: Can Kendal Town secure their future this season in the Unibond League's Premier Division?' and How will Kendal's Dean Ellison fare as he steps up to World Superbike level?' The Forum section will be fluid, changing as the issues change. We have set up a number of topics under Lake District, News, Sports and Communities headings to get it all started.

If you have a topic idea for one of these areas, simply register, then Log In and post your comments on an existing topic or create a new one.

The Forum section is in the left links on the web site's home page or is available at http://forum.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk . People wanting to post a comment need to follow the usual procedure of registering, getting an access link, and then logging in with their own username and password. Forum users can create, join in or simply follow the topics online.

If your community is not represented, or you want to propose a new Forum section, please contact the Web Editor, Kate Whiteside at kate.whiteside@kendal.newsquest.co.uk or phone 01539-710183.