PLANS to extend the Pennine Bridleway national trail north through Cumbria have been forwarded to the Government.

The Countryside Agency wants to extend the route to the north by 141 miles, from the Fat Lamb Inn near Kirkby Stephen, through Cumbria and into Northumberland.

If approved, the full trail will run from Derbyshire and will be 347 miles long.

The proposal, which follows consultation with landowners, local authorities, and other interested groups, has been submitted to John Prescott, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, who will decide whether to give the scheme the go-ahead.

It is hoped that the new route would boost the local economy in remote rural areas by attracting walkers, cyclists and horseriders to follow the long-distance trail.

Ewan Cameron, chairman of the CA, said: "The proposed route passes through areas designated for special European assistance because they are suffering exceptional economic hardship and it has been estimated that the route will contribute around £1.5 million to the local economy once it is fully up and running."

Public paths from the trail will be well signed to nearby villages to encourage visitors to use local shops, post offices, pubs, B & Bs and hotels.

Consultation into the plans has also identified that specialised services such as overnight grazing and stabling for horses and cycle repair outlets will be needed, offering local farmers and businesses the potential to diversify.

It has also been designed to link in with the public transport network, including the Settle to Carlisle Railway.

Olivia Assheton, for the CA, said once the Government gave permission, the target date for opening the new route - which will cost around £3.1 million to create - would be 2006.

She added that response to the plans had been generally very positive, and that any concerns were being looked into.