MORE than 500 people have signed a petition calling for the former Barrow MP John Woodcock to drop the title Lord Walney.

Mr Woodcock, who splits his time between London and Walney, officially entered the House of Lords last week after being nominated to sit in the chamber as a cross-bench peer.

But people in Furness have taken exception to the former MP’s decision to be known as Lord Walney, a title he said showed his affection for the island where he has lived since being elected in 2010.

At the time of writing an online petition started by Mike Heaton has been signed by 502 people.

Mr Heaton wrote in Change.org: “This isn’t even political it’s personal to me and I dare say the other 10k residents of the island, who will all tell you they own it will be just as upset by this affront as I am.

“My issue is with his special request to be named Baron/ Lord Walney.

“John wasn’t born here and has done nothing for the island. To claim ownership in this way is beyond reprehensible.”

Responding to the petition, Lord Walney said: "Yes I am indeed an off-comer but we have been so happy to call Walney our home since we moved to Barrow and I am looking forward to being an extra voice for the island in parliament in the years ahead alongside our elected representatives. In particular, I want to make sure we are being heard on the advancing threat of coastal erosion that is threatening so many homes."

He said he was 'proud' of his record in Barrow and pointed to securing a majority for the Dreadnought submarine programme as one of his achievements.

* An earlier version of this story carried a claim by Mr Heaton Lord Walney does not live on the island. The Mail would like to clarify Lord Walney in fact splits his time between London and Walney. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.