GRASMERE villagers could get their own pharmacy, ending the need for five-mile journeys to pick up prescriptions in Ambleside.

Pharmacist Trevor Eastes of How Bank, Ambleside - whose wife is also a qualified pharmacist - hopes to open a pharmacy in the village, and has applied to Morecambe Bay Health Authority to join the pharmaceutical list.

Lakes parish councillors expressed support and said Grasmere needed a pharmacy, following the closure of its drug store.

Coun Alan Green said the size of Grasmere, and the number of tourists it attracted, justified having its own dispensing chemist store.

He hoped the pharmacy would open in Grasmere's shopping area, not a residential area, and said there were vacant shops available.

Coun Vivienne Rees said villagers were grateful for the prescription delivery service provided by Ambleside-based Boots and Bell's chemists to Barney's News Box in Grasmere.

However, it would be much easier if Grasmere had its own pharmacy and, as a result, more villagers would use Grasmere's GP surgery, rather than the Ambleside surgery.

Coun Elizabeth Braithwaite said Mr Eastes was seeking preliminary consent, and he would make a full application when he had found premises.