A Cumbrian town's bid to host the prestigious Great Exhibition of the North has received backing from all of the county's MPs.

Whitehaven will be competing against top cities such as Liverpool and Newcastle for the 2018 event which will celebrate and showcase the region's art, culture and design.

Five of the county's six MPs - Jamie Reed (Copeland), Sue Hayman (Workington), Tim Farron (Westmorland and Lonsdale), John Woodcock (Barrow in Furness) and John Stevenson (Carlisle) - have signed a letter to Edward Vaisey, the government's minister for culture and digital economy, pledging their support.

In the letter they say: "The opportunity to host the Great Exhibition of the North would be an incredible boost to a community with the potential to create a lasting, meaningful and far-reaching legacy of the project.

"We believe the creation of opportunities to participate in arts and cultural activities would be of particular importance in inspiring children and young people both locally, and those who would visit the area as part of the exhibition.''

Also signing the letter are Lord Clark of Windermere and Lord Cavendish of Furness.

Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith and the Border, was unable to sign the letter in time, but said he also backs the bid.

Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners are the leading organisation in the bid's consortium. The bid needs to be completed and handed in by Thursday, June 30.