Adventurer Ben Fogle, backing the Mosaic scheme

Would-be ‘champions’ from across the North-West gathered in the Lake District in a bid to encourage more visits to the area from ethnic minorities.

The ten potential ambassadors for the outdoors were welcomed by Lake District national park staff as part of the Mosaic scheme. The project is backed by television adventurer Ben Fogle.

England’s nine national parks are taking part in the Mosaic scheme, which is aimed at communities in 20 cities. In the North-West, contacts have been established in Lancaster, Blackburn, Preston and Manchester. Although nine per cent of the population is from an ethnic minority, only one per cent of national park visitors come from minorities.

The get-together in Ambleside was a chance to find candidates to train as champions, who will then urge their communities to share the benefits of the national parks.

Ethnic minorities are underrepresented on the Lakeland fells

Mosaic is organised by the Campaign for National Parks, of which Mr Fogle is president and will run for three years. The Youth Hostel Association is also backing the scheme.

Project officer Kabeer Bostan said the Lake District weekend had been a crucial get-together: “It was great meeting national park staff, who’ve made us so welcome. There’s been such an overwhelming buzz and I’m sure 90 per cent of the people we’ve had here will become champions.”

Preston businessman Ahmed Nakhuda has been visiting the Lakes since he was a boy and works hard among family and friends to convince them that the great outdoors has to be experienced.

“Mosaic gives us all an added incentive to work together. It’s a fantastic idea and we are incredibly grateful for the opportunities it is going to bring,” he said.

Lucy McQuillan of the Lake District National Park Authority said: “We are delighted to welcome such enthusiastic and willing people, who are already committed to our national park and will make convincing role models in their communities.

“National parks were initially created to make sure people in Britain knew what they had to offer and provide equal opportunities to enjoy them. We are keen to do what we can to follow those early aims.”

Mosaic aims to have 200 champions nationwide, working with the national parks to encourage an extra 4,000 visitors from minorities.