MILLIONS are attracted to the Lake District because of its scenery but how was this national park formed?

That is the question that a group of authors led by Maryport man Dr Ian Francis will be attempting to explain in The Lake Dsitrict Landscape and Geology.

This is not some dry old scholastic tome.

Dr Francis, Stuart Holmes and Bruce Yardley have produced a book of glorious photographs and fascinating insights into the Lake District looking at both its natural processes and the effects humans have had on that landscape over the 11,000 years since the Ice Age ended.

We also wanted to do something that combined an explanation of natural processes with the effects humans have had on the landscape over the 11,000 years since the Ice Age ended.

Dr Francis, who was born and bred in the Lake District and now lives in maryport with his wife, Kelly. stydied geology at Oxford where he attained his first dwegree and PhD,.

He said the authors were deliberate in their attempt to make the book something to be enjoyed: "We were clear that the book had to be visually attractive, with heaps of colour photos with maps, ariel views and panoramic shots – and this is where Stuart Holmes' photographic expertise was crucial.

"The book came about after Bruce Yardley and I saw the need for something that would appeal to people interested in how the spectacular landscapes of the Lake District have been formed, but who don’t necessarily have a background in geology or geography.."

Stuart Holmes is a self-taught photographer from Keswick.

Bruce Yardley is emeritus professor in the School of Earth and Envionment at the University of Leeds where he taught for 30 years.

The authoris will be reading from their book at Words by the Water on The water at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick on March 19.

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