Prime Minister David Cameron has announced more funding for flood-hit regions of northern England, this time to boost the area’s tourism industry.

On Thursday, Cameron unveiled £2 million of funding to repair damage in the Lake District National Park, where three severe storms caused flood damage in December. The funding will be used to repair bridges, walls and footpaths in the park.

A further £1m will be used to fund a PR drive to boost the North of England’s tourism industry and encourage British families to visit the region over the Easter period. The campaign will be aimed at those in London and the South-East of England.  

The PM made the announcement ahead of a visit to Cumbria and Lancashire - the counties which were worst affected by last month’s floods.

He also said the Department for Business (BIS) has identified 180 apprentices in the area, who will be ‘mobilised’ to carry out the work. These apprentices come from Cumbria’s four main further education colleges, where students with a variety of vocational skills will be asked to volunteer to support the recovery effort, the government said, to “gain valuable work experience to add to their CVs.”

Companies with a presence in the area, including nuclear decommissioning site Sellafield and arms and aerospace company BAE systems have also come forwards with significant offers to support the volunteering effort in the coming weeks and months, ministers said.

On Thursday, Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss commented, “The Lake District National Park is a jewel in the crown of the British countryside, attracting visitors from around the world to walk, relax and unwind against a breath-taking backdrop.

“The support we have promised today will help get those parts of the park in need of repair ready for visitors, so that families looking forward to their Easter and summer breaks can visit this stunning environment and back businesses and communities affected by the recent floods.”