A new board is lined up to take forward a bid to buy a Lake District mountain.

The charity Friends Of Blencathra held its annual general meeting this month and a new chairman, vice chairman and treasurer are due to take over.

The friends were established in 2014 after the Earl of Lonsdale announced he was selling the mountain to meet a £9 million inheritance tax bill. 

The guide price for the mountain was £1.75 million and the group wants to buy it to keep it in community hands.

Dave Wheeler, 63, is due to take over as chairman.

Mr Wheeler, who is married and has two children, is also trustee to charities Level and Sancho UK.

He said he has been involved with the group since week one and took part in the mass walk lead by Chris Bonington on the day the initial bid to buy the peak was submitted.

He said: "I'm absolutely confident that we can make this happen. Chris Bonington made a statement when he was nominated patron of Friends Of Blencathra and I think it really covers the intent of the group.

"He said 'While all mountains are special, Blencathra is often seen as the gateway to the Lake District and sharing ownership for those that love the mountain is much more than about the right to roam.

"It means conservation, enhancing the landscape and involves working with farmers who use the land's grazing rights.'"

Mr Wheeler will take over from Debbie Cosgrove, who established the group in 2014. She announced last week that she will remain as a trustee of the charity.

At the annual general meeting, Karen Clough resigned from the role of vice chairman and David Farrar resigned as treasurer.

The charity said they will remain until the new board is in post.

Michael Chambers is the designate vice chairman and a new treasurer is expected to be appointed.

Mr Wheeler said the new board is due to be officially instated at the next board meeting in June, subject to documents being finalised.

He said: "Karen stepped down last year because of other commitments, but then stepped back up when it looked as though negotiations were moving faster.

"The treasurer said when he was appointed that he would only serve three to six months, so he served well over his time.

"Debbie has been chairman since the beginning, it's healthy to move the posts around.

"Since the AGM, I have asked Karen and David to consider staying on the board.

"So it may be that we just strengthen the board rather than just replacing people.

"I invited Mike to join as vice chairman because he has more local connections than I have.

"The balance between my experience and managerial skills and his community governance skills will make a very good team, especially working with people who have done such a fantastic job so far."

The charity is still in negotiations with the owners of the mountain to buy it.