A COUNTRY road has become “rural retweet” for social network users, all because of its name — Twitter Lane.

The sleepy country road, which links the picturesque villages of Waddington and Bashall Eaves, became a centre of internet discussion after a leading journalist made a special trip there.

Dina Rickman, London-based assistant editor at online Huffington Post UK, part of one of the world’s most-read news websites, displayed a picture of the appropriately-named street to her followers on her Twitter page, explaining about her “pilgrimage” to the Ribble Valley.

Residents and business owners on the winding lane said they were delighted about the interest in the area but offered an altogether different explanation of the street name.

Trevor Hatch runs Melt Candles and Luxury Gifts at the Backridge Farm complex on Twitter Lane with his wife Cheryl.

He said: “I’d never really made the association with Twitter the website, even though we have an account.

“I find it a bit puzzling that people would make a special trip but it’s all good fun.

“There’s a lot to find here with several different businesses on the lane and it’s been transformed in recent years.”

At the rear of Backridge Farm is the Balmy Llama Farm, home to Twitter Lane’s most exotic inhabitants, seven fully grown llamas.

Phillip Morris, who runs the farm, said: “I love the name Twitter Lane but it was only last spring when I realised why it was given that name. The swallows had just arrived, along with numerous woodpeckers and magpies and the birdsong chorus coming from the hedgerows was amazing. I’m sure the name must have come from that.”

Further up the lane is the Bashall Barn Food and Visitor Centre which has expanded from its origins as a small farm shop in 2001.

It is now is home to the Bowland Brewery, a coffee shop, ice cream parlour and 120-seat restaurant.

Owner Simon Barnes, said: “This is very much a tourist area so anything that encourages more visitors has got to be good.

“Our business has a Twitter account but I didn’t think the name of the lane itself would provoke as much interest.”