THE Government's Northern Powerhouse minister has "fired the starting gun" on an ambitious initiative designed to transform north Cumbria's economy.

Jake Berry gave his positive assessment of the Government's Borderlands Growth Deal after meeting some of the project's key players in Carlisle.

He said the aim was to boost the region's economy, and create more better paid jobs - a committment that will ultimately be backed up by Government cash for specific projects.

Co-operation between the five cross-border local authorities will help unlock the region's unrealised economic potential, says the minister.

The initiative will focus on key themes, including digital technology; innovation; low carbon; and energy.

Improved transport and infrastructure will also be at the heart of the project, say its supporters.

Speaking to The Cumberland News at Carlisle's Civic Centre, Mr Berry said: "Today, we have fired the starting gun on the Borderlands Growth Deal, setting up an ambitious timetable for the five local authorities to come together with a list of projects that they would like to see come to fruition.

"It's too early to say how much money in total will come from the Government but what we can say is that we have made a great start.

"There is a well worked-up list of ambitious projects which I will champion in Government."

Asked what challenges the Borderlands initiative aims to address, the minister replied that in some sectors it was the area's low wage economy.

He said the area's tourism could benefit from more co-operation between local authorities, with visitors to the Lake District being encouraged to explore the areas to the north and the borders region of southern Scotland.

Carlisle MP John Stevenson described the meeting in Carlisle as extremely positive, saying that all the local authorities involved are fully behind it, regardless of their political identity.

"The challenge now is for us," he said. "What we have to do is come up with projects which have been properly assessed and [costed] and then these can be put to the Treasury to lead directly to increased economic activity.

"That is now the challenge for the local councils involved."

In an earlier interview, Mr Stevenson commented that the project would create stronger and hugely beneficial economic ties between the area's five local authority neighbours.

Carlisle City Council leader Colin Glover was also optimistic, saying he was struck by the commitment to the project from both the minister and from David Mundell, Secretary of State for Scotland, who was also at the meeting.

It was the first time senior players in the project have met since the Borderlands Growth Deal was announced by Chancellor Philip Hammond in the last 2017 budget.

A spokesman for the project said: "Our shared ambition is to play our full part in the regional and wider UK economy and unlock the potential of the south of Scotland and North of England.

"We welcomed the opportunity to discuss the Borderlands Growth Deal directly with ministers."

Mr Mundell added: "We are continuing to make good progress towards a Borderlands Growth Deal, which has the potential to transform the economy of the whole region, creating jobs and increasing prosperity.

"We had a productive meeting with the five Borderlands local authority partners.

"I was impressed by their enthusiasm for, and the energy behind, creating a transformitave deal."

He said those involved would continue to work closely with the Borderlands partners to work up the details of their project proposals.

In September 2017 a formal proposition was submitted by the five local authority partners to the UK and Scottish governments for consideration, focusing on the factors which make the area attractive to investors, visitors and those who wish to relocate.

It also seeks to tackle the need for population growth and improved productivity.