FREE walking guides detailing four routes through beauty spots in East Rural are still available.

The 12-page A5 booklets are available in the Sunnyhurst Wood visitor centre, Hoddlesden Post Office and Darwen Town Hall.

The booklet is the idea of The East Rural Network, made up of members of interested parties from the area which includes Pickup Bank, Belthorn, Waterside, Eccleshill, and Hoddlesden.

The group has been working for three years to get the initiative off the ground.

The first route is circular and runs from Hoddlesden Millennium Green to Sunnyfield and back through Chapman’s, along the Anglo Saxon Way.

Route two begins in Eccleshill, goes past the Shaws factory and back to the Victoria building.

The third route starts at Rosins Country Pub and leads up to Holkers House Farm, Pickup Bank.

Route four covers Hoddlesden Moss. The routes vary in difficulty and duration.