Concerns have been raised over an 'extremely dangerous' spiked fence that has recently appeared.

The wrought iron fence at Gill Banks in Ulverston appeared at the end of July and is now running along the low path. 

Gill Banks is at the start of the popular Cumbria Way walk to Carlisle and can be accessed from the Gill in the centre of the town through the wood to fields leading on to Old Hall Road. 

The fence has replaced an old one which was rusted and had some parts missing. 

A local resident, who wishes not to be named, said: "The new railings at Gill Banks with the spikes are extremely dangerous - particularly to children or pets who might try to scale them. 

"There's concern from the partially sighted community too as they use the rails as guides to the path. The originals were spiked but legislation has changed these days - the only case for them now would be as an anti-theft measure but that still requires permission."

Concerns were originally raised in a local Facebook group with one man adding: "They are at a height that simply stumbling could result in grave injury. Someone should take their reciprocating saw and remove the tops."

Another added: "Need flattening - basic common sense.

One Facebook user said: "Irresponsible and should be liable for injury. An amazingly stupid thing to do."

The council is responsible for the maintenance of public green space in Ulverston and a volunteer group called the Gill Banks Action Group which maintains the space through pruning and planting.

The volunteer group confirmed however it did not know any details about the new fence.

Westmorland and Furness Council confirmed that although a public footpath, the fences on the edges of the path are owned by, and the responsibility of, the landowner.

The landowner has extended the previous metal fence that was already in place and the authority would only speak to them if it was impeding disability access, said a spokesman.