Judges worked through a record-breaking number of entries to shortlist this year's entries for the Lakeland Book of the Year award.

Three books in each of the four categories were chosen by judges Hunter Davies, a founding member of the event, Border TV's Fiona Armstrong and local author Kathleen Jones.

Founder of the awards, Hunter Davies, said: "I'm thrilled by the number of entries 60 books is the biggest number to date and they're all on Cumbria which is pretty amazing.

"It's also one of the widest samples we've had. The subject matter ranges from the history of the house to a book entirely made up of postcards to another on the breeding habits of 152 birds in Cumbria."

Awards will be presented at a charity lunch at the Inn on the Lake, Glenridding on Wednesday 18 June. Tourism Minister Kim Howells will be the guest of honour.

The Eskdale Responders, a group of volunteers responding to heart attacks area are the beneficiaries of the lunch.

Titus Wilson Prize for Guides, Walks and Places

Rain or Shine: Walks in the Lake District Whatever the Weather by Christopher Mitchell

Breeding Birds of Cumbria: A Tetrad Atlas 1997-2001 by Cumbria Bird Club

An Atlas of the English Lakes by John Wilson Parker

Barclays Bank Prize for People, Social and History

Harriet Martineau at Ambleside by Barbara Todd

Wordsworth: A Life in Letters by Juliet Barker

The Team by Shelia Richardson

Ron Sands Prize for Arts and Culture

Blackwell A Souvenir Guidebook by Lakeland Arts Trust

Haweswater by Sarah Hall

The Wordsworths and the Daffodils by Pamela Woof and Madeline Harley

Bill Rollinson Prize for Heritage and Tradition

Whitehaven Castle The Hospital Years by Whitehaven Hospital Research Group

The Windermere Ferry. History, Boats, Ferrymen and Passengers by Dick White

Grasmere Sports The First 150 Years by Roy Lomas

June 4, 2003 10:30