AN artist has blazed a trail to commemorate two of the industries which made an East Lancashire valley famous.

Giant shoe markers now wind their way from The Halo Panopticon, near Haslingden, to Rawtenstall town centre, thanks to the ingenuity of Blackburn ceramicist Julie Miles and her young helpers.

Large boots pick out important landmarks along the trail, while smaller shoes are used as way markers.

The Halo is at Top O’Slate, once home to a clay pit which served East Lancashire firms like Heys and Duckworth, Haslingden Brick and R Holding Pike Law.

And the Rossendale Valley, in its heyday, was a world-renowned mecca for the shoe and slipper industry.

Students from Haslingden High and All Saints Technology College, in Rawtenstall, helped Julie to craft the markers at her studios in Higherford Mill, Barrowford.

Former Pleckgate student Julie, from Lammack, said: “Because Top O’Slate used to be a clay works, we decided to make the markers out of red brick, so they would really stand out.

“I’m a ceramic artist who mostly works in schools and community groups, and this has been a real challenge.”

The project was backed by Rossendale Council and Burnley-based Mid Pennine Arts, with assis-tance from the Ground-work Trust.

A Mid Pennine spokes-man said: “The giant shoes are positioned on the top of dry-stone walling and other key sites at regular intervals along the trail.

"They are placed at sites where trail users can admire the view, or examine points of specific interest.”

Brick relief plaques have been designed by Julie for the beginning, and end, of the route.

Beside The Halo, a relief detailing the area’s felt-making, block printing, carpet printing and slipper manufacturing history is being unveiled.

And its sister artwork, outside Rawtenstall rail-way station, shows a host of local landmarks.

Julie will be continuing her public art crusade with workshops for 11 to 17-year-olds, at the Haworth Art Gallery, Accrington, on August 11 and 18.