The wildlife of our rivers has always fascinated me and it is always of interest to find out about the history of river crossings.

In the case of Mitton it was once the borderline between old Lancashire and old Yorkshire.

The same River Ribble was also the border of many other places.

Close to the bridge over the Ribble there is the Aspinall Arms.

This was the site of the old row-boat ferryman who lived there and waited for travellers to call him.

Once the bridge was built the Ferry House was replaced by a hostelry.

The view from Mitton Bridge and the footpaths around are a joy and between now and the end of September bird watchers can have a wonderful day.

Here are swallows, martins, common sandpipers and many other species including kingfishers, herons and dippers can be seen and the variety of flowers are a botanist’s delight.