GENEROUS well-wishers bequeathed three homes to a Lake District charity.

The Lakeland Housing Trust, set up in 1937, provides affordable homes for local people.

Fern Cottage at Clappersgate was left to the trust by James Spedding, who lived there many years.

After refurbishment, the home will be let out and renamed Spedding Cottage.

High Crag at Gale Rigg, Ambleside, was left to the trust by a builders' merchant from the Midlands, Kenneth Smith.

He loved the Lakes and bought the property as a second home. As High Crag is quite large, a decision was made with Mr Smith's family to sell the house and use the proceeds to buy or develop other homes.

The trust purchased 12 Loughrigg Park, Ambleside, which will be lived in by a local family. The house was previously a holiday let but is now back in local occupancy, said the trust.

The remainder of the money from the sale will help to fund building projects by the trust.

The third property, High Green Gate Cottage, Sawrey, was generously bequeathed by Mrs Della Porter-Hargreaves and is now let.

Malcolm Tillyer, chairman of the Lakeland Housing Trust said: "Trustees are very grateful for these generous bequests.

"We are committed to providing homes for local people who cannot otherwise afford to buy or rent locally at prevailing prices.

"The growth of second-home ownership means, in some areas, the need for local housing is increasingly acute.

"We own 42 properties and I anticipate we will continue to grow in the coming months.”

For more, see www.thelakelandhousingtrust.co.uk