Nick Clegg receives his Stanage sticker from Rebekah Newman

Former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has lent his support to a national park scheme to help fund a popular rock-climbing venue.

The ex-Liberal Democrat leader stumped up his £15 for the Stick up for Stanage campaign.

The Sheffield Hallam MP visited the Stanage-North Lees estate, near Hathersage, to show his support for the project to raise money to care for the internationally important landscape.

In return for a contribution of £15, supporters receive a sticker to display in their car for 12 months’ free parking at Stanage, plus discounts at the campsite. The scheme was set up to help pay for access improvements, bird conservation, woodland management works and visitor information.

Mr Clegg said: “Stanage is one of the Peak District’s most spectacular landscapes, and one of my favourite places to visit with my family. I’m delighted to support the Stick up for Stanage campaign, which will help to protect and maintain this beautiful part of the national park.”

Rebekah Newman, the Stanage-North Lees manager, said: “We are delighted that Mr Clegg has shown his support for our sticker scheme.

“Stanage is a unique and inspirational place that people love to return to time and again. We know that people are always keen to help care for and protect it and this scheme is a way for them to do that through a modest annual contribution.’’

Owned by the Peak District National Park Authority, the 542ha (1,339-acre) estate is just eight miles from Sheffield city centre, yet includes the popular gritstone cliffs of Stanage Edge and is home to ring ouzel – the mountain blackbird, pied flycatchers, orchid-rich meadows, North Lees Hall and internationally important moorland.

Stanage Edge has 1,700 recognised climbing and bouldering routes and the sticker scheme has been welcomed by the British Mountaineering Council.

More details of the scheme and the estate are on the Peak District authority’s website.