Walkers looking to enjoy the countryside in Dalton will have even more opportunities to do so now a bridge is set to be repaired.

Residents in the area have been campaigning to get the footpath and bridge at the Haggs fixed for a 'good few years'.

Councillor Dave Taylor described how the issue, which had been brought up numerous times, would now be fixed thanks to a 'few enhancements'.

He said: "We have been able to secure funding to improve the footpaths and repair the bridge - which has been a long-fought battle - down the Haggs.

"This means that more people will be able to enjoy the walk which connects to the Monks Trail which is also being repaired and improved."

The agreement means that overgrown vegetation will be removed, the footpath will be improved and resurfaced, and the bridge will be repaired at the cost of £33,000.

Mr Taylor thanked his colleagues for their support, including councillors Daniel Edwards, Ben Shirley, Tony Callister and Dalton with Newton Town Council.

"More people will be able to go on walks to and from Dalton, and to and from the abbey now," he said.

"Thank you to all the Westmorland and Furness officers in our council who made this happen."

Work is set to start by March 31, depending on local weather conditions.

A spokesperson from Dalton Community Action explained that the fight had been rumbling for years, with the group at the heart of the efforts to fix the route.

They said: "We are over the moon with this as it has been an ongoing battle for a good few years.

"Thank you to our four councillors at our town council and to the rest of the Westmorland and Furness Council locality board who approved this funding."

The plea for funding was most recently agreed at a meeting of the locality board on Wednesday, January 10.