Standing for the Liberal Democrats will be Geyve Walker, 56, senior partner with Arnison and Co, a firm of solicitors based in Penrith. He lives on his own, and has four children.

Mr Walker is squaring up to David Maclean for the fourth time, and said that he had received a very positive response from canvassing so far.

"I want to get over to them (the voters) that we need honest government and honest representation, and they need somebody who is rooted in this community and who is prepared to speak out," he said.

High on the electorate's list of issues, he said, was unhappiness still over the Iraq war, and concern about council tax, which the Lib Dems have pledged to abolish.

As the long-standing chairman of governors at Ullswater Community College, Mr Walker said he was very anxious to maintain and improve local schools and hospitals.