ONE-HUNDRED stiles in West Craven have been successfully restored or replaced thanks to the efforts of local volunteers.

Members of the West Craven Environment Group have been working with Pendle Council to ensure that public pathways are clear and safe.

Using their own tools and transport, the members of the group used their local knowledge to locate landowners to seek consent to waymark and work on their land.

Local ramblers formed the West Craven Environment Group back in 1994.

In 1997, members took part in the Lancashire County Council Footpath Survey and inspected all 150 footpaths in the area, including those at Kelbrook, Earby, Salterforth and Barnoldswick.

The survey, completed in April 2000, highlighted a number of blocked footpaths, inadequate stiles, gates and fences.

Now the group has helped to replace 100 stiles and repair several others.

They have also constructed one footbridge and dozens of fencing posts and rails.

Environment group member Pat Dickins said: "I started doing this because I found when I was walking out it was very dangerous.

"I think we have done a service to the public. It is such lovely countryside round here and we have opened it up."

If members come across a stile that is broken they contact the council which then speaks to the landowner.

The group then helps to carry out the repairs.

Chris Chapman, access ranger for Pendle Council told the Herald: "The West Craven group like to get involved by getting hands-on and getting out into the countryside.

"One stile can take from 9.30am until 3pm to finish so there is a lot of hard work involved."

Members of the environment group are now surveying footpaths again for stiles that have become dysfunctional since the last survey.