SOUTH Lakeland's threatened tourist information centres could be thrown a lifeline on Wednesday when councillors meet to agree an "affordable and sustainable" way forward for the cherished service.

In a bid to save £270,000, South Lakeland District Council's cabinet is due to consider ways of "narrowing and focusing" the way the district's seven TICs are run by developing community partnerships or handing the keys to outside contractors.

While the option of closure still remains on the table for centres in Grange- over-Sands, Kirkby Lonsdale and Broughton-in-Furness, members are being advised to follow the recommendations of officers and vote in favour of alternatives such as reducing staff and operating hours.

In a report due to go before the cabinet, head of regeneration and housing services David Sykes warns members there will be "significant implications" for staff and that "any perceived or actual detriment in service will be met by criticism and opposition."

But while the report stresses the "fundamental" importance of TICs, it also reveals the potentially "catastrophic" implications on the council's bank balance if some cuts are not made.

Visitor Information Points (VIPs) or self-help kiosks, look set to be brought in at each of the centres to help compensate for job losses, while town councils could be invited to help with management.

Windermere and Ambleside TICs, which together attract around 500,000 annual visitors, look to be in safe hands, as members are being advised to hand responsibility for these to outside organisations so they can continue as they are.

In Kendal, the service looks set to be combined with Kendal Town Hall, with town council staff running the desk, and there is likely to be a similar situation in Ulverston where it is recommended that the service merges with the running of the Coronation Hall to create an access point that could also be used for council services.

In Kirkby Lonsdale, where residents organised a 140-name petition in opposition to proposed cuts, staffing could be cut to one while the town council, Chamber of Trade and community radio, The Voice, look at running the service together.

Grange also looks set to become a single-staffed operation, run jointly with Grange Town Council, while in Broughton the advised option is to develop a partnership arrangement within the community.

In terms of job losses, back-office' staff look set to be hit the hardest. The cabinet will consider a separate report into the "significant implication for existing job roles and staffing levels" in private. Any changes will come into force next March.