A Cumbrian MP has joined the campaign to bring the full benefits of HS2 rail to the county.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has written to the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to make the case for HS2 trains to stop in Cumbria.

Currently the high-speed trains from London are set to pass through the county without stopping, meaning passengers on the West Coast Main Line will have to change at Preston to get to Oxenholme, Penrith and Carlisle.

Mr Farron said: “It’s such a kick in the teeth for everyone in Cumbria who has helped pay for HS2 that all we will see of those fast trains is a blur as they speed through our county without even stopping.

“It remains a complete own goal for the Government that these hugely expensive high-speed trains won’t be stopping at Britain’s second biggest visitor destination.

“If the Government don’t reconsider then this will be a huge blow to the tourism industry here in Cumbria which is so important for jobs and the local economy.”

New figures from the Office for Rail and Road showed that well over half a million people have used Oxenholme station in the past year.