A £285,000 campaign to promote Cumbria as a destination by train has been launched.

Cumbria Tourism has launched the six-week campaign with a presence at Manchester Airport, London Euston and Northern cities including Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle.

It has been timed to coincide with rail company Northern's extra 50 per cent discount on selected online advance train tickets.

Big screen advertising promoting Cumbria can be seen at some of the country’s busiest commuter hubs, like Manchester Airport and the city’s Piccadilly Gardens, and a 12 metre wide ‘digi-bridge’ over commuter route the Mancunian Way.

Advertising will be used at London Euston, Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly and digital marketing will also be targeting people in the North and London, plus a video has been created.

Cumbria Tourism said it was aiming to rebuild visitor confidence in train services and positively inspire potential visitors.

Rachel Tyson, head of marketing and sales, said: “It’s all about dispelling misconceptions about travelling by train and giving visitors practical ideas and inspiration to encourage them to book breaks away in our amazing county.”

Cumbria Tourism added that the £285,000 campaign followed sustained lobbying at government level, with Cumbria Tourism working alongside Cumbria County Council and Transport for the North to secure funding through the rail industry amid disruption to train services over the past 12 months.