PLANS to build a memorial for children who escaped the Holocaust and found sanctuary in the Lake District have been discussed in Parliament.

On the floor of the House of Commons, South Lakes MP Tim Farron secured a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to discuss plans to build a memorial for the Windermere Children.

The 300 Jewish children rebuilt their lives in Cumbria after being rescued from concentration camps in 1945.

The cultural centre, proposed by the charity The Lake District Holocaust Project, would mark the special role Cumbria played in helping some of those who survived the Holocaust to rebuild their lives and would help combat rising antisemitism.

READ MORE: Government urged to back memorial to children who found sanctuary in Lake District

Speaking during Housing, Communities and Local Government Oral Questions in Parliament, Mr Farron said: “In Westmorland, we have a story that has underpinned cohesion for decades, and that is the story, the true story, of the Windermere Children.

“In August 1945, almost half of the children who survived the Nazi death camps were rehabilitated on the banks of Windermere, at Troutbeck Bridge.

”Now I wonder if the Deputy Prime Minister would agree to meet with me, because a group of us, including the ‘45 Aid Society and the local school, the Lakes School, want to build a lasting memorial at Troutbeck Bridge at the site where the children were housed whilst rebuilding the school that was built on that site.

“I wonder if she would carry on the cross-party work we had before the election meet with me and others from that community to help make that a reality?”

Responding, Angela Rayner said: “I absolutely congratulate the honourable member for his work in this area and either myself, or one of my ministers would be happy to meet.”

Trevor Aver,  of the Lake District Holocaust Project, said he was 'very excited' about the project.

"We were in discussions with the previous government and this is a continuation thanks to Tim, who is a great supporter of what we want to do," he said.

"With the Lakes School as close collaborators, we want to establish an iconic education facility and cultural centre that will send out a statement that Windermere is building on the legacy of the survivors who came in 1945, and the welcome they received from the local community, by producing an internationally renowned centre for the teaching of issues including peace, tolerance, and global citizenship."