Sir, Like many other people I am staggered by the Lake District National Park Authority's plan to axe the scenic walks that have been led by volunteer rangers for over 50 years.

This decision will be depriving more than 4,500 people of the opportunity to enjoy some of the most beautiful parts of the country in safety.

It will involve axing a programme of 900 events attended by over 30,000 people and managed by over 300 rangers, and further, reducing significantly the services provided by the 10 information centres in the area.

The time, trouble and expertise that has gone into producing such a programme of events is something the LDNPA should be very proud of. It is a magnificent achievement, and to have done it largely with a volunteer workforce is an example to every region in the country.

Why then scrap it? The answer "Because they attract only middle-aged, middle class white people." Such a comment beggars belief. As a middle class, white person I feel very, very offended and discriminated against. If we collectively take our spending elsewhere it will cost the region a great deal more than the £32,000 it apparently costs to run the service in its present form.

No one would argue against a big effort on the part of the authority to open its doors to ethnic minorities, children from inner cities and the disabled, but why discriminate against white middle aged, middle class people. Cost cannot be a reason, and I offer two methods of covering the £32,000 it does cost.

(a) Sack the official who produced this ill-thought-out plan. His/her salary and other expenses will cover the cost or, (b) Charge the middle-aged, middle class people who use the present services £1 per event or walk. This will be easily affordable by such people and will cost nothing to collect. It may even make a small profit, which can be used to promote the area and its facilities to the new tourists.

It may be difficult to manage, but it cannot be impossible to run the two programmes either side by side or together. It would appear that some disabled people are using the service in its present form.

One can only hope common sense will prevail, and the hopes and opinions of the rangers, who have put so much time and effort into providing the Lake District with this marvellous service, which is such a benefit to the region and the people who visit the region, will be acted upon. They appear to be of much more value to the area and its people than the paid officials.

Robin F. Sharp Clitheroe, Lancashire n Sir, I am writing to express my serious concern about the possible withdrawal of the voluntary guided walks provided by the Lake District National Park Authority.

The walks have been a feature of the national park and enjoyed by many for 50 years. 2004 saw the 50th anniversary with a special initiative for walkers to gain a 50km award.

My concern is about the nature of the thinking and the lack of consultation, particularly with the participants of the walks. I have been fortunate to take part in the walks over the last three years and have enjoyed the occasion for many reasons. The walks have made me more aware of the Lake District and its beauty and facilities and encouraged me to return again and again.

The walks provide a great deal for those taking part. They are educational, recreational, social, promote healthy activities and are a challenge for those wishing to extend their fitness. Many people taking part see their fitness levels improve and go on to take on the more adventurous walks on offer.

Many of those taking part in the walks have been excellent advocates for the walks and the Lake District, encouraging others to visit the area.

My understanding of the reason for the decision is that the Lake District National Park Authority wishes to concentrate on "urban youth, disabled people and ethnic minorities".

In supporting these areas of society one would be supportive, but has the authority looked into this in detail? For example many of the walks already include people from these groups. In identifying these groups, the authority has chosen to ignore others who actively take part in the guided walks. Is this in the true spirit of equal opportunities? Is the authority now discriminating against others who will not be able to enjoy the benefits of the Lake District without the voluntary guided walks?

I would also question the Lake District National Park Authority's approach to democracy. Not to ask the very people who currently take an active part in these events does not seem fair and will not give a balanced view. As a keen supporter of these walks, the first I heard about the decision was when I took part in the last walk at Grasmere on December 28.

My concerns are therefore about the lack of appropriate consultation, the complete lack of democracy in decision making and the lack of clear rationale behind the decision. I would also ask the Lake District Park Authority if this proposal is in line with equal opportunities when it will discriminate against some.

Dr Freda Bridge Newton-le-Willows Merseyside n Sir, On Tuesday, December 28, I took part in the Lake District National Park Authority, Voluntary Ranger led guided walk, which was featured in the December 31 edition of The Westmorland Gazette.

Unfortunately it fell to the two Voluntary Rangers leading the walk to explain that this walk was the last LDNPA guided walk, and to try to pass on the authority's reasons for stopping all future Voluntary Ranger-led public events.

The reaction to this news was one of surprise and disgust.

Many of the walkers use the walks as the central theme for their holidays to the Lakes, so that they can enjoy worry-free walking, in the safe and informative company of Voluntary Rangers.

Needless to say, no one from the authority attended the walk to explain the facts behind such iniquitous actions. We can only hope that one day the National Park Officer will come forward and publicly explain his reasons for making the proposal.

Once again, the public, who wish to enjoy in their own way our beautiful national park, are being stopped from doing so.

I note from a National Park Authority publication, that one of their objectives is: "To promote opportunities for the enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park."

Do they now choose to forget such objectives?

Bryan Dawson Levens n Sir, Like many people, apparently, I am concerned about the Lake District National Park Authority's new' policy to attract a new audience to the Lake District. However, I have a particular concern.

The Centre for Access and Communication Services, at Bristol University, is setting up a research project to look at access to wild life and the environment, for visually impaired people. In November last I was privileged to be asked to chair the initial one-day seminar, at Bristol University. It was to debate how best to carry out this project, to agree procedures and conclusions.

At that seminar, there were nearly 100 representatives from a wide range of interested groups RSPB, wildlife trusts, local authorities and many others. The LDNPA was invited to send a representative I double checked. Not only did it not send a representative, it didn't even reply to the invitation.

I'm afraid this doesn't fill me with a great deal of confidence that the authority is all that keen to attract visually impaired visitors even if its new policy makes reference to its being particularly committed to attracting more disabled people.

Michael Hartley Kendal Editor's note: At Tuesday's meeting of the Lake District National Park Authority members agreed to defer a decision on the recommendation to withdraw the voluntary guided walks and reducing some of the services offered at its tourist information centres. It is planned to hold a full discussion about the proposal at a meeting of the park authority on February 7, when the press and public will be present.