GO green' is the message to businesses in the Lake District and Cumbria in an effort to encourage good environmental practice.

The green tourism scheme, run by the Ambleside-based Lake District Tourism and Conservation Partnership and Cumbria Tourist Board, is encouraging more employers to come on board.

Partnership manager Kirstie Royce said the idea behind responsible tourism involved staff and management in identifying environmental improvements, introducing them and promoting environmental awareness to customers.

She said: "People visit the Lake District to enjoy the natural environment and schemes like this and others run by the partnership will help to ensure that it remains one of the most beautiful and unspoilt places in Britain. By taking part in the scheme businesses not only do their bit for the environment but also improve their profitability."

Responsible Tourism has also been designed to improve efficiency and enables businesses to market more effectively to an expanding group of customers.

Measures encouraged by the scheme include using low energy light bulbs, reducing water usage and waste, recycling glass and plastic and encouraging visitors to use public transport.

Barry Colum, of Cumbria House, in Keswick, which has recently joined the scheme, said: "We apply environmentally responsible and sustainable principles to all aspects of the guest house business from thermostats on all radiators and use of compact fluorescent lighting to giving a discount to car-free guests. Other measures include buying food locally and as far as possible from local producers, and provision of bottles of chilled tap water, to minimise the use of plastic bottles. This encourages guests to be active participants as does providing recycling facilities, local bus and boat timetables and information on local activities."

Anyone interested should contact www.lakespartnership.org.uk or call 015394-34630 for further information.