Building an underground car park beneath the site of the current Keswick Convention Centre council solve the town's parking shortages, a leading councillor in the town has said.

Town and borough councillor Tony Lywood said Keswick Ministries' planned move to the former pencil factory site at Southey Works could provide an opportunity to take inspiration from continental Europe to create car parking beneath a mixed development of social and open-market housing.

Coun Lywood said: "At one stroke this would solve the area's parking issues, provide considerable income for the developer and would not greatly affect a housing development above.

"The problem with car parking in this area is well known. Up until now the authorities have tried to utilise the above ground area to best effect.

"This is the first time for 100 years that a virgin site of this size could be developed."

He has discussed the idea with Keswick Ministries, Allerdale council, the Lake District National Park Authority and potential developers, and told town councillors all were encouraging.

Coun Lywood urged the council to support such a proposal if it came to fruition.