A new Need 2 Know Forum has been launched by Cumbria Tourist Board to answers questions on the outdoors as new figures show interest in activity breaks is soaring.

Experts on eight popular activities in the Lake District, including walking, climbing, sailing, cycling and canoeing and an authority on safety have been lined up to answer questions on the new Forum.

A survey by the Tourist Board shows that 28% of tourism businesses in Cumbria say visits by people taking part in high energy activities are on the increase.

About 55% of businesses believe activities like hiking, climbing, mountain biking and watersports are already a significant part of short break holidays to the county.

It is available at www.lakedistrictoutdoors.co.uk, which also includes information on a wide range of activities.

Eric Robson, who is Chairman of the Tourist Board and the Wainwright Society and who has made many television programmes on walking, believes the Forum will be a valuable tool for visitors and residents alike. He says: People often have questions about outdoor activities and are not sure where to go for the answer. Cumbria Tourist Board has brought together a very talented group of people who will be able to provide the information they need, or at least tell them where they can go to find out more.' Outdoor activities are a key part of the tourism offering in the Lake District and other parts of Cumbria. There is no other part of the UK that can rival this area for its inspiring beauty and the wide range of easily accessible activities, both for those with a lot of experience and those who want to try something new'.

The expert panel includes Pete Jackson and John Nicholls, who will be answering questions on hiking. Their business Knobbly Stick provides guided and self guided walking holidays in the Lake District.

Chris Ford, whose Eden Valley based company Cycle Active is the largest provider of mountain biking weekends and courses in the UK, will be giving advice on cycling. Baz Brush, a formal Royal Marine who now teaches at Windermere Outdoor Adventure Watersports Centre, is the expert on canoeing.

The Tourist Board has also launched its first Outdoors E-Newsletter. In an introduction to the newsletter, Sir Chris Bonington calls on lovers of the great outdoors to Dig out your rucksack, throw in your boots, pack your waterproofs (just to be on the safe side!) and head for the Lakes for some serious relaxation and rejuvenation'. The newsletter includes details of what's new in the outdoors, events, exhibitions and new businesses.

The first newsletter includes the Kendal Mountain Film Festival, which starts on 13 November, and a feature on activity provider, Where Mountains Meet.