PRESIDENT of the North East Lancashire Area Ramblers' Association, Burnley MP Peter Pike, has thrown his weight behind the group's campaigning walk today to get a long-promised bridge built over the junction of the rivers Calder and Ribble, below Whalley.

The protest is the latest stage of a showdown with Lancashire County Council over what is becoming known as the stand-off over "a bridge too far."

Walkers will be unable to meet but be forced to wave at each other from across the river banks. Their route on the renowned long-distance trail, known nationally as The Ribble Way, is subject to a number of diversions.