Cumbrian exporters are suffering as a result of the economic downturn brought on by Brexit and the Covid-19 global pandemic.

Figures by the British Chamber of Commerce show that UK export figures are down by 41 per cent, with a German-British Chamber of Industry and Commerce study also released this month highlighting similar issues.

And businesses in Cumbria have called for a support package from the Government for the aviation sector and others who are struggling.

Jayne Moorby, marketing manager at Ulverston-based Oxley Group, a third tier supplier in the civil aerospace market, said: “The increase in paperwork and checks at customs is creating a big impact.

"Hypothetically if we send parts out to Slovakia and back we would previously be looking at a two-week turnaround.

"Now it is more like 10 and this is making us uncompetitive.

“Some of the things we export will include 50,000 inventory parts from more than 15,000 different supply chains.

“Even though we’re supposed to be in a grace period, some of our EU customers are already asking for the rules of origin paperwork and it has caught most businesses off guard.

"Just the size of the bureaucratic and administrative work is massive and the process is presenting us with real problems.”

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce has previously warned of supply chain issues and the economic damage through having a last-minute deal.

Managing director Suzanne Caldwell said: “We’ve heard from a number of businesses who have seen export volumes fall and are experiencing increased disruption through red tape and additional customs paperwork."

Kingfisher Seafoods Ltd, of Barrow, who specialise in live shellfish, reported a significant decline in their export sales.

Most of its business is traditionally exported to Europe and the firm’s co-founder Dr Omar Namor has confirmed that Brexit had had a significant negative impact.