Carlisle has been described as one of the best places to move to in order to avoid radiation poisoning in the event of an all-out nuclear war.

The Daily Express has published an article based on a map plotting service which shows the areas likely to be affected if nuclear weapons are dropped on 20 major British cities during the outbreak of a hypothetical 'Third World War'.

Listing some of the cheapest options in each of the UK's regions, the Express claims Barrow and Carlisle offer "the most affordable", in light of escalating tensions and rhetoric between the USA and North Korea.

Although Britain is out of range from any threat from North Korea, eMoov has used Nukemap to plot the resulting impact zones for an all-out nuclear attack on 20 major UK cities.

The article states: "The most affordable option for those worried about the impending end of the world is Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, with an average house price of just £112,279 and a good chance of being out of the radiation zone. Staying in Cumbria and slightly further north, Carlisle is also an affordable option at (£131,970)."

However, the Express appears to have failed to recognise that historically Barrow has been a key target during world wars given the importance of the town to the country's defence.

The UK's nuclear weapons are carried onboard Barrow-built submarines.

More significantly, work has already started in Barrow to build the Dreadnought fleet set to take over the existing Vanguard-class of four boats so chances are, as unlikely as an outbreak of nuclear war might be, it is reasonable to assume the town would be a prime target.

During the Second World War the main target for German bombing was the Vickers shipyard and engineering works. The works at Vickers, the docks and the railway all received direct hits.

During the war the shipyard built big ships such as Pioneer and Majestic, small destroyers and numerous submarines; merchant ships were armed and a wide range of engines and guns produced.

For a year there was little sign of the enemy. The greatest disruption was caused by heavy snowfalls and freezing temperatures at the end of January 1940. Schools were closed, roads blocked, trains suspended and water supplies frozen.

Then in September 1940 came the first serious raid, an incendiary attack on Salthouse during which a 5 year old boy became Barrow’s first civilian victim. It was in April and May 1941 that Barrow was bombed in earnest.

The main bombing phase over Barrow was from April 14-16 and May 3-19, 1941. The population had been issued with ear plugs, gas masks and some shelters had been prepared.

Barely a day was lost at the shipyard or steelworks as the bombs missed their targets and instead houses and civilians suffered.