'What did we have in common?' Remembering the creation of Cumbria, 40 years on.

1974, was the year President Nixon resigned over the Watergate scandal, ABBA was number one with Waterloo and the year Cumbria was created.

40 years ago today, Cumberland, Westmorland and parts of Lancashire and Yorkshire, merged to form the new county of Cumbria. It sparked debate back then and still does to this day.

For those working in local government at the time, the change was huge. A former Councillor explains his shock at the overnight change of being in Lancashire to being in Cumbria:

It also meant divide in local communities. Take the town of Appleby for example, that was known as just that for years. After 1974 however, the townsfolk successfully lobbied the Queen and the Government to add 'in Westmorland' to the name.

The motivation behind the change of name was because of heritage, says a local man. He explains that the older residents still find it difficult to accept that their county has gone and that they still would like Westmorland back. Another resident explains that it is their 'link with the past', which will teach the younger generations about their county's history.

Similarly the Cumberland sausage has kept its name and is enjoyed around the world. The Westmorland and Cumberland County shows and local newspapers have also kept their traditional titles.

Since 1974 there have been further attempts to reform how the country is run. With councils still facing huge cuts from central government, it is an issue that will continue to be debated.