People with limited mobility will now be able to enjoy Lake District views thanks to the efforts of a new charity.

Lake District Mobility is launching its first all-terrain mobility scooter, known as a tramper, at Whinlatter forest trail today.

The scooters are available for hire for people with limited mobility to participate in the same outdoor activities as their family, friends and the wider community.

Julia Walker, founder of the charity, said: "I'm excited that people can come here and spend time together and they're not having to leave someone in the cafe or at home, instead they can feel part of a group."

Julia, 37, of Cockermouth, suffered problems with her pelvis and was not able to enjoy walks for many years and her grandfather in law, a former mountaineer, was also missing the views of the Lake District.

"This is where the idea came from. There are 47 sites in the South West where you can hire trampers and there are a couple in south Cumbria but nothing up here.

"Nine out of 10 people who use trampers don't class themselves as disabled, it could be people with heart problems, people who can normally only walk short distances or a have limited mobility. If you can't normally get involved in outdoor activities, this is for you," added Julia.

Pat Newlove, 70, of Cockermouth, was the first person to sign up to the scheme.

She said: "This has opened up spaces I never thought I'd be able to enjoy again. Now I can be part of a group and get out. The tramper is very easy to use and very stable."

Sarah Bromiley, community project manager at Age UK, said Pat enjoyed group activities with the charity but was unable to join its walking group until now.

She added: "She never expected this opportunity to open up to her. If you think that when you're in a wheelchair you always have a person behind you, with the trampers you can see the person and have a conversation with them, you can have that connection.

"This project is giving people who are potentially isolated and lonely access to the community and people who can normally walk short distances can go a little further."

The £8,000 tramper was funded thanks to cash from the county council's local committee for Allerdale and the charity has already secured funding for two more trampers thanks to a private donor.

Lake District Mobility, which has been working in partnership with Whinlatter, Cumbria CVS and Countryside Mobility, is hoping to identify sites and have the other trampers in place before the summer.

Nathan Fox, Forestry Commission ranger at Whinlatter, said: "The Forestry Commission provides access for a whole range of different people but the fact that we're on a mountain here makes it more challenging. I'm looking forward to Whinlatter being opened up to a whole new range of people and working with the charity."

Trampers have a weight capacity of up to 25-stone and on a charge, a 30 mile distance.

People can apply for annual membership to the scheme which lasts for 12 months and costs £10.

A taster or temporary membership lasts for two weeks and costs £2.50.