RURAL residents are celebrating after a rule banning farmers from clearing snow-blocked roads was overturned.

Last winter, hundreds of homes across country areas of Lancashire were cut off due to one of the worst spells of snow in decades.

But Lancashire County Council banned farmers from using tractors fitted with ploughs to clear the snow because it broke health and safety rules.

Now the council is inviting farmers and agricultural contractors to apply for tenders to carry out snow clearing works if needed this winter.

One of the worst places affected last winter was the remote village of Cow Ark, in the Ribble Valley.

County ploughs deemed the village ‘not a priority’ and local farmers were powerless to clear the roads themselves for fear of prosecution.

Nigel Evans, Ribble Valley MP, said the move was a victory for rural residents.

But the council said all operators must be fully licensed and have public liability insurance of at least £5million.

Mr Evans said: “The way that the county council treated people living in rural residents last year was unacceptable.

"here were too many people who felt abandoned.

“This is a big step in the right direction.”

Coun Tim Ashton said: “In previous years, health and safety and insurance rules have meant people were not able to clear their roads.

“We have decided to advertise for contractors whose machinery will be available during the winter months to ensure rural roads stay clear in places like Cow Ark.

“We have reassessed the situation following last winter and decided to make a change.”