A CUMBRIAN MP has visited a number of tourist businesses in his constituency to highlight what the area has to offer for people ‘staycationing’ after the lockdown.

Mark Jenkinson, MP for Workington, paid a visit to businesses after many were given the green light to reopen by the Government at the weekend.

On Friday and Saturday he visited a number of places in his constituency including the Lake District Wildlife Park in Bassenthwaite, Stanwix Holiday Park in Silloth, The Fairy Dust Emporium Café, Silloth, Butterflies Café in Workington, Lake District Coast Aquarium in Maryport and the Hundith Hill Hotel in Cockermouth.

Mark said: “As a number of tourism and leisure businesses reopen throughout my constituency, I am keen to offer my support, meet with staff and promote our area as a destination for tourists.

“It is likely that a larger number of people will be looking to the UK for their holidays this year.

“My constituency of Workington has a number of holiday destinations and I am keen to highlight what each town has to offer for visitors.”

The Government had given the hospitality industry the green light to open on Saturday after four months of closure.

Boris Johnson announced that social distancing rules will be reduced from two metres to one metre from Saturday, which made it easier for venues to reopen.

Overnight stays are now also permitted for the first time since lockdown.

Although the Government has published a list of countries that holidaymakers can travel to, it is expected that many Brits will stay home this year.

On Thursday the MP gave his maiden speech in the House of Commons, in which he paid tribute to his constituents in their efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus.