Defra minister Andrea Leadsom has firmed up the Government's backing on a bid to make the Lake District as iconic as the Taj Mahal.

A decision will be made in July as to whether the Lakes will win World Heritage status.

Today, the Secretary of State visited Keswick to meet with National Park Authority chiefs to show her support, as well as canvassing in the town with the Conservative candidate for the upcoming by-election in Copeland, Trudy Harrison.

If successful, the status would see the Lake District stand shoulder–to–shoulder will world greats including the Great Barrier Reef, Grand Canyon and the Taj Mahal.

Mrs Leadsom said as well as raising the profile of the area, it would also bring in plenty of international tourism, on top of the £17million visitors each year.

"When people think where they want to be on their holidays, they will say the Lake District National Park," said the minister.

"When, and if we are successful, this is superb for our whole country. Something which we will be so proud of and put us on a level with the pyramids and Taj Mahal – it's an extraordinary achievement."

Trudy Harrison, who was named as the Conservative candidate last year, said she was "very excited" and "enthusiastic" about the bid.

Mrs Harrison, a mother-of-four, said the status would help attract the "skilled workforce" needed in the area, such as more doctors and nurses.

Mrs Leadsom and Mrs Harrison met with the National Park Authority's chief executive Richard Leafe and chairman Mike McKinley.

Penrith and The Border MP Rory Stewart, also the Minister of State at the Department for International Development, also attended.

Mrs Leadsom, who said she was extremely optimistic about the bid, added: "I had the most beautiful drive from Penrith. I came from London and gradually I could see my spirits lifting as we got nearer to the Lake District."

Even though the Lake District has bewitched generations, to join the global list of World Heritage Sites, it must demonstrate that it has “outstanding universal value”.

The final decision lays with Unesco's cultural heritage advisory body, who run the World Heritage scheme, and the committee will be held in Krakow, Poland, in July.