A little piece of West Cumbria could be at the heart of the restoration of the iconic Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris.

Muncaster Castle is one of more than 100 estates across the UK to have pledged to donate oak trees to help restore the roof of the cathedral, which was ravaged by an inferno last week.

The original 12th-century roof was estimated to have required 1,300 mature oaks to create so Historic Houses, the association for independently-owned historic homes and gardens, hopes the gesture will inspire others to offer what they can.

Peter Frost-Pennington, who runs Muncaster Castle, said: “It was quite a shock to see the Notre-Dame up in smoke as it is such an iconic building for France.

“They need a new roof which is going to cost a huge amount of money, a lot of resources and from what I understand it would be an oak roof.

“We’d be able to chop the tree down and prepare it for them to collect.

“It’s a tragedy for the building and we are reaching out a hand of friendship to France.

“It would be lovely to know there was a piece of Muncaster Castle in the Notre-Dame.”

Other estates to have offered oak trees are Belvoir Castle, Hutton-in-the-Forest, Scone Palace, Castle Howard, Holkham Hall and Firle Place.

The trees, which are from sustainable forestry and already destined for use as commercial timber, are estimated to have a combined market value of more than £100,000.

It is not the first time the association has rallied to help with a major heritage restoration project as after the York Minster fire in 1984 more than 40 estates pledged 80 oak trees.

James Birch, president of Historic Houses, said: “The fire at Notre-Dame is a terrible tragedy.

“It is also a reminder of how our great buildings provide a cultural backdrop to everyday life that is often only recognised when they are threatened.

“Some of our members have first-hand experience of the damage and destruction of catastrophic fires.”

Since the blaze more than £650m has been pledged to restore the landmark.