THEY have been pointing travellers in the right direction for decades.

Of course, today when we have modern technology at our fingertips, SAT NAV is now fitted in most cars, we don't have to rely on sign posts as such - although their presence is imperative as a reminder to past times.

For many, it is also a refreshing reminder of a time when 'seek and you will find' really meant something - in other words you had to look to find something - how many maps have been pored over in the past en route to destinations - instead of tapping on a mobile gadget to find all manner of answers - or pumping an address into a SAT NAV system for a voice to tell when you have reached, or possibly passed, your destination.

Finger posts are generally created from cast iron or wood. Traditionally they are white with black lettering and are usually located on roads for road users and occasionally on canals and to mark the beginning of a footpath or bridleway.

Some areas have more than others - Cleckheaton/Liversedge are almost abundant in this day and age with - two.

Located at the junction with Hightown Road and Westgate, Cleckheaton, the finger post close to the town's Fire Station is a local landmark.

The 80-year-old sign was erected in accordance with the Royal Label Factory specifications when Hightown Road was built.

However, the finger post has suffered the test of time, losing its fingers, but now it has been restored to its former glory by the Spen Valley Civic Society.

Having restored its 'sister' post at the top of Hightown Road in 2003, the Society decided to restore it and have now accomplished their mission, thanks to a grant from Kirklees Council's "You and Your Community" programme.

Volunteers have also worked hard on the project which involved new metal letters being created to match the originals. Brackets have also been manufactured using the one remaining original as a pattern; wooden finger boards were created and the metal post has been stripped of rust and repainted ready for its unveiling at 10.30am on Monday (April 10) by Jan Scrine, B.E.M., Treasurer of the Milestone Society.

Jan was awarded the British Empire Medal in New Year 2017 to recognise her service to the community. She’s a founder member of the Milestone Society, which is a national charity founded in 2001 to raise awareness of quirky old stone and iron milestones, boundary markers and fingerposts, and to encourage their restoration and maintenance.

Chair of Spen Valley Civic Society, Max Rathmell, said “It’s a piece of Cleckheaton’s heritage which deserves a new life, so that local people can appreciate it for many years to come.

He added the timing of their project also meant the newly restored fingerpost will be showcased to the world when the Tour de Yorkshire cycle race passes it along Westgate, on Sunday April 30.