The Lake District National Park Authority is to decide whether or not to scrap free guided walks from its 2005 programme in a special meeting on 7 February.

In December, the authority announced that it was intending to axe the walks – which are carried out by over 100 volunteer park rangers – because they appealed mostly to “white, middle-class, middle-aged people”.

The scenic walks attract thousands to the Lake District every year but were to be scrapped as part of a three-year strategic plan aimed at encouraging more ethnic minorities, inner-city children and the disabled to visit the area.

The park also reportedly plans to finish a programme of 900 events run by the volunteer rangers that include informative talks, children’s farm visits, slide shows and a magazine in a move that has left volunteers “astounded” and “very disappointed”.

According to the Lake District authority, its three-year plan was intended to “rekindle the passion and energy behind the creation of our national park”.

In a statement released in December, National Park Officer Paul Tiplady said: “Achieving our strategy will not be easy. We must stick to this strategy and stop doing some of the things we currently do, and which others expect us to do.”

Earlier today, following a quarterly meeting of the Lake District National Park authority, a spokesperson added: “It was decided that enough time couldn’t be devoted to the issue of the guided walks so committee members haven’t made a final decision.

“However, a special, one-off meeting for the whole of the National Park Authority just to discuss this issue will take place on 7 February and all of our 26 members will be able discuss the matter.

“On that day, the decision will be made either to scrap this year’s programme or reinstate it as we have to set our budgets for the year by March.”

The Lake District is one of 13 National Parks. The others are Brecon Beacons, the Cairngorms, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Loch Lomond and Trossachs, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, Pembrokeshire Coast, Snowdonia, the Yorkshire Dales and the Broads. Details: www.lake-district.gov.uk