Cumbria's tourism sector has enjoyed a record summer, according to new figures.

Almost three quarters of all accommodation was snapped up in June. At 73.6 per cent, it was the highest level recorded for a decade.

More than 80 per cent of self-catering options were booked up in July too - the first time the figure has been topped since Cumbria Tourism's occupancy survey began more than 10 years ago - and it hit 87.1 per cent in August.

It was the highest August occupancy figure in eight years, according to survey's provisional findings for the last three months.

Cumbria Tourism represents more than 2,500 members.

Its monthly occupancy survey monitors performance across hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, self-catering, and camping and caravan sites and provides a vital insight into the health of the tourism economy.

Cumbria Tourism believes the early statistics locally reflect the national trend for "staycations", partly stimulated by the fall in the exchange rate following the EU referendum.

Ian Stephens, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, said the figures were "positive".

He added: "The challenge now is to maintain this momentum for the traditionally quieter months of the year, which is why Cumbria Tourism is planning to collaborate with a range of different organisations and areas to launch a major winter marketing campaign to promote the Lake District, Cumbria, as an all-year-round visitor destination."

Businesses welcome the findings.

Paul Liddell, managing director of Lakelovers, which has 450 self-catering properties across the Lake District, said: "Lakelovers are continuing to experience a surge in occupancy in Lake District self-catering which began to peak in June this year.

"Our website has also seen huge growth in unique visitors throughout this period and at the time of reporting this good news, September is following this superb trend."

Any tourism business, including non Cumbria Tourism members, can take part in the survey.

In 2015, more than 43 million people visited Cumbria, contributing more than £2.62 billion to the local economy and supporting around 61,000 jobs.