WORKERS from British Aerospace in Samlesbury have been restoring one of the area's oldest remaining footpaths.

The Forty Steps path, which links Bamber Bridge and Walton-le-Dale, was built in the 19th century but had fallen into disrepair.

Volunteers from the machining and treatments centre at BAe Samlesbury have now started restoring the path.

Shrubs are being cleared and dead trees removed. Structural work is being carried out to reset the steps and prevent any further subsidence.

Project co-ordinator John McNeill said: "This project shows BAe's commitment to the local community and its heritage. The Forty Steps project has given us the opportunity to restore something that workers from local factories constructed over 100 years ago.

"Many employees at Samlesbury live in the Walton-le-Dale area and have taken this chance to put something back into it by restoring this well-used and well-trodden path."

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