Maryport residents have rallied round to preserve one of their beloved footpath names as considerations over how to honour the late Prince Philip get mulled over.

Suggestions have also included naming somewhere in town or in the harbour after the Duke of Edinburgh.

But residents were quick off the mark to protect the name of the Fairy Path after rumours started circulating that a name change had been proposed, and the Stop the Name Change of the Maryport Fairy Path petition was launched.

On the proposed name change, Allerdale Independents Councillor for Maryport North, Adrian Kirkbride, said: “I think that would be bang out of order.

“Because of his background being naval, I think something around the harbour would be appropriate.

“We should keep it as the fairy path because its recognised as that, and we should find another place to honour Prince Philip.

“The path could easily be a tourist attraction, which would would be fantastic.

“Calling it the ‘fairy path’ is great for kids' imaginations, and it's a bit of fun for them and their parents.

“I wasn’t aware of the path until a while ago, but now it’s gained a bit of momentum and people who are coming to Maryport with kids would take them down to the fairy path.

“I think it’s a fantastic name and a fantastic idea to get it back on the map for people to recognise and visit."

Labour Cumbria County Councillor for Maryport North, Carni McCarron-Holmes suggested changing the name of the path, but she said that it was only just a suggestion.

Cllr McCarron-Holmes said: “It was only a suggestion.

“And it doesn’t seem to be what locals want.”

Residents of Maryport have recently been looking after and developing the fairy path to ‘brighten’ it up.

Maryport resident Hayley Houghton, said: “The name has been in Maryport for years and years.

“With the reopening of the Fairy Path, it’s been beautiful to see how it’s been decorated, and families going down with little children and fairy lights.

“We had a walk down there the other night.

"The whole path was lit up and to see the reactions of the families was priceless.”