A mock-up of how one of the new woolly webcams will look

A leading Lake District retailer will offer a new view of the fells, thanks to its innovative woolly webcams.

George Fisher is expanding its network of cameras by placing life-size sheep sculptures containing image equipment on the Lakeland fells.

The semi-permanent glassfibre ovine statues will provide walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts with real-time views of the mountains.

The woolly webcams will be installed as part of the Keswick-based company’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

A company spokesperson said: “The existing George Fisher webcam, located high on the retailer’s building with views towards Skiddaw, is one of the most popular online webcams in the Lake District with many thousands of views each year.

“The RAF base at Linton-on-Ouse has even admitted it checks the webcam before its pilots head through the Lakes on low-level training sorties.

“The new initiative will place additional webcams high on fellsides, initially in the north Lakes area. Inspired by the Go Herdwick fundraising project, where life-size sheep sculptures formed a public art trail, George Fisher is creating a network of strategically placed sheep on the hills.

“Not just any sheep, of course, but lifelike fibreglass sculptures similar to the ones produced for Go Herdwick, equipped with webcams.”

The sheep will be fitted with solar panels, a lithium-ion battery, an internal antenna plus a small pico-cell. Photos released by George Fisher show pre-production prototypes, although final colour schemes are likely to blend into the scenery more, following consultation with the Lake District national park planning committee. Images will be aggregated on the existing George Fisher website.