THERE could be gold in them thar hills!

A report has uncovered deposits of the precious metal in parts of the Pennines and Lake District.

The news has triggered off fears of a possible gold rush.

And farmers are being warned to watch out for "Klondikers".

The Country Landowners Association is urging members who own farm land in the Lake District and Pennines to be on their guard against the eager pan handlers, who think they could be sitting on a goldmine.

North-west regional CLA secretary, Jolyon Dodgson, said: "It appears that the British Geological Survey, a government agency, has found gold deposits underneath parts of the countryside, including the Lake District and the Pennines.

"Whether prospecting will be viable or not, I am advising members that the gold belongs to the Crown although licenses can be granted for its extraction.

"Government licenses to investigate the potential can be obtained from the Department of Trade and Industry and planning permission may also be required.

"The important thing for landowners to remember is that none of these consents give any person authority to enter onto the land of an individual owner nor to disturb the minerals that lie between the surface and the gold.

"Accordingly, any prospector must negotiate and agree terms with the landowners.

In the meantime, the CLA is planning to hold discussions with the Crown Estate Commissioners who will have more details about the gold survey."

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