A MEMORIAL for fell walker, guidebook writer and illustrator Alfred Wainwright was unveiled in Blackburn yesterday.

Wainwright, who was born in Blackburn in 1907, spent his first 34 years in the town and has previously had a bridge named after him.

Organising the memorial, made out of cast metal, took around four years and cost £6,000, which was donated jointly by Blackburn with Darwen Council, Twin Valley Homes, Housing Pendle and Groundwork Pennine Lancashire.

Nick Riley, who designed the memorial, near the Clog and Billycock in Pleasington, said: “Wainwright would not have liked a big bridge as a memorial and I think this one is much more fitting.

“It’s in a great location and from here you can see all the way to the Lake District on a good day.

“It has taken a while to organise but I’m really pleased with the outcome.”

Wainwright published a seven-volume ‘Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells’ between 1955 and 1966, among over 40 other books.

Nick Burton, author of Wainwright’s Way, said: “This is a quite beautiful spot and I think it is absolutely fitting that the memorial has been placed here.

“He first came up here in 1928 and it’s said that he was inspired by walking up here.

“I know this area and I think that he would have approved of this.”

David Schofield, the owner of the land, said: “It’s a great thing to have and the lambs already love having it in the field.

“I don’t mind at all having it here and I think it will benefit anyone who chooses to walk this way.”

Wainwright died in 1991, with The Wainwright Society being established in 2002, and the road bridge in Blackburn was opened and named the Wainwright Bridge in his honour in 2008.