FOOTPATHS in some of the area's storm-damaged woodlands will be closed for up to three weeks.

The Lake District National Park Authority has decided to close some rights of way after last week's severe weather left huge numbers of trees uprooted throughout the park.

Some of the main forests affected include: Grizedale; Wythop; Whinlatter; Thirlmere; Ennerdale; Dodd Wood; Latrigg and Broughton Moor.

"This should give us time to assess all the individual paths in the affected areas and decide which ones are no longer likely to cause danger," said Rights Of Way Manager Mick Donn.

"We will be working with our partners to remove the dangerous trees wherever possible. After three weeks, we will be able to reopen many of the paths and we hope the rest will be safe to use soon afterwards."

Some individual paths outside the main woodlands are also being closed because of dangerous trees, bridges, or electricity cables. Details of these paths as well as maps showing the other affected areas are available on the LDNPA website www.lake-district.gov.uk.