The late Twentieth Century brought a change to the economy of northern England. Once hailed as a great manufacturing base, the decline of many widespread industries such as mining, textiles and heavy industry forced communities to re-focus and find new sources of employment.

South Lakeland and Furness have not escaped similar problems as evidenced by the closure of K Shoes in Kendal and job losses at Glaxo in Ulverston and BAE at Barrow.

But its traditional industries farming and tourism though buffeted in recent years, have remained central to the strength of the economy.

Nevertheless, the re-focusing which has gone on elsewhere has still been necessary in the Lake District.

In farming, various initiatives have emerged, including the buy local' campaign, the rise of farmers' markets and local farmers finding innovative ways of diversifying everything from farm tourism visits to setting up a children's nursery in farm buildings.

The area's other main industry, tourism, is also showing encouraging signs of re-focusing to ensure vitality.

In tourism's case, a big success story has been the growth and creation of large-scale events, whose organisers have focused on long-standing events or traditional activities, improved their branding and profile and taken them on to the next level.

One only has to think of how Lord and Lady Cavendish have developed the Garden Festival at Holker Hall, which begins today (Friday), into one of Lakeland's best and most successful events.

Cartmel Races just gets better and better the new grandstand and moving into evening race meetings helped boost visitor figures to this week's event.

Kendal Medieval Market brought an estimated 30,000 visitors into the town on Bank Holiday Monday; around 35,000 people are expected to attend to turn up to this year's Appleby Horse Fair, where fresh efforts are being made to ensure the town gets the maximum economic benefit out of the spectacle.

Next week Furness is expecting to benefit from one of the main events of the Barrow Festival of the Sea, which is making the most of the area's maritime past, present and future. With 30,000 people per day expected to gaze at 12 tall ships next weekend, organisers believe the event will give the area a welcome financial shot in the arm.

The forthcoming North West Food Lovers Festival at Crooklands; the renovation of the gardens at Rydal Hall; efforts to turn Sedbergh into a book town; plans to promote the spiritual heritage of Low Furness all are innovative ideas to attract tourists to this area and boost the local economy.

Meanwhile, it emerged this week that South Lakeland's Residents' Open Week in March and April when local residents could obtain free or discounted entry into many of the area's tourist attractions - was a huge success.

It seems that local authorities, businesses and residents have grasped the value of cultural tourism', which is being seen more and more as an important tool in helping to regenerate an area.

If this kind of innovation and focus can continue to be shown, then there is good reason to be optimistic about the future of the local economy.