CAMPAIGNERS trying to save a youth hostel from closure have been supported by Penrith and The Border MP David Maclean.

The hostel, at Dufton, near Appleby, is one of ten earmarked for closure by the YHA following financial losses sustained from the effects of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Residents in the small village are angered by the decision, which they say will severely damage the livelihood of the village.

Mr Maclean, who met the campaigners on Bank Holiday Monday, said: "All is not lost.

I appeal to every local organisation and individual to put maximum pressure on the YHA to reverse this decision.

Dufton is a vital part of the network and a vital part of the local community.

It must be retained."

Mr Maclean said that he is again writing to the chairman of the YHA.

"It is adding insult to injury to close Dufton hostel because of losses incurred elsewhere because of foot-and-mouth.

"The Eden valley had almost 100 per cent wipe-out, it has suffered enormously.

Loss of a hostel in Windsor will not affect the rest of the community, but closure in Dufton will affect the other two businesses in the village - the shop and the pub."

Resident Ray Walker said: "We are going to have a fight and we will put all the pressure we can on the Government to stop the hostel from closing."

Local shop owners are also up in arms.

Trudy Foster, who runs the shop and post office in the village, said her premises could also face closure, as there would be fewer visitors to the fell-side village.

"If the youth hostel closes, I will probably have to close at the end of the season because there simply won't be any income."

The campaigners have approached Appleby Town Council for their support.

A spokesman for the YHA said the ten hostels were to be closed and sold to safeguard the financial future of the association.