A new car park at popular Brampton area beauty spot Talkin Tarn is now fully up and running.

The Tarn End car park, located opposite the former Tarn End Hotel on the shore of Talkin Tarn, is now open to the public, with annual and semi-annual permits now being advertised.

Visitors can now park in the privately-run car park for £1 per hour, 10p cheaper than the car park run by Carlisle City Council.

In addition, longer term parking permits are also available - £29 for six months or £49 for a year.

The area on which the privately-run car park now stands was formerly a field commonly used by visitors to park for free.

Developer David Hogarth is turning the former hotel into private apartments in partnership with his family.

“We originally planned the car park for the owners of the new properties,” explained Mr Hogarth.

Following the closure of the field to the public, visitors to Talkin Tarn began with increasing frequency to park on the adjacent grass verge.

“The [Cumbria County Council] Highways department and planning department asked us to enlarge our proposed car park and make it available to the public, as the parking on the verge was proving to be a safety hazard and eyesore,” Mr Hogarth continued.

“We have spent a considerable amount of money providing 50 spaces for the public.

"Visitors can pay with coins rather than card - being £1 per hour we've kept payment as straightforward as possible."

Mr Hogarth stressed that he did not envision the Tarn End car park having a negative impact on the funds required to maintain Talkin Tarn, drawn from the profits made by the car park run by the city council.

“The council car park is still as busy as ever,” he said.

“The council makes a substantial profit from the car park , far in excess of the money allocated for the upkeep of the Tarn."

A spokeswoman for the city council said: “Our car park provides easy access to all the main amenities within the country park and includes a disabled parking area and provision for coach and motorcycle parking.

“We review our parking charges for all our car parks on a regular basis but there are no plans to alter the current charges at Talkin Tarn.”

The 58-space car park is just under half the size of the car park run by the city council, which in the 2019/20 financial year is projected to make a profit of £40,500 - profits which are earmarked for continued maintenance and investment in Talkin Tarn.

The total projected maintenance budget for Talkin Tarn itself and the Talkin Tarn tearoom, in the 2019/20 financial year is £10,900.