Beacon Fell is visited by tens of thousands of people each year Pic: Dan Talbot

A country park on the outskirts of Preston could have its visitor centre shut down.

Lancashire County Council is proposing to discontinue its countrywide service by 2018 as it struggles to plug a £262 million funding black hole.

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The Friends of Beacon Fell are warning a precious outdoor resource for many schoolchildren could be lost.

They state: “Beacon Fell has over 200,000 visitors a year who come from far and wide to enjoy its beauty and the surrounding area. If we lose the Countryside Service we could lose all the facilities, including the Café and the Visitor Centre.

“The Fell will not be maintained and will attract litter and anti-social behaviour.

“There are at least 100 school visits per year that enjoy the Fell facilities for Outdoor Education.

“Children enjoy taking part in the summer timetable of activities, led by the Rangers and Volunteer Rangers, especially the Gruffalo Walks, mini-beast hunts, den building, etc, etc …

“Many sections of society use the Fell including cyclists, horse riders, walkers and people with either temporary or permanent mobility problems who come to use the trampers.

“Altogether a great asset for enjoying the countryside, exercising and socialising.”

A petition has been set up on the county council website calling for them to reverse the decision.

Have you visited Beacon Fell? What do you think about the cutbacks? Let us know in the comments below