Residents claim Maryport is being neglected after it was revealed that two popular paths damaged by Storm Desmond are likely to remain closed until at least April next year.

Brian Taylor, who used to live opposite what is known as the Fairy Path, believes the town is being treated unfairly.

He said: “How much has been spent on flood recovery work in Keswick, Cockermouth and Workington? I honestly believe if these paths had been in any of those towns they would have been sorted by now.”

The Fairy Path leads from near the Senhouse Roman Museum on Sea Brows to the Promenade.

It has been a hugely popular walk for tourists. Residents on the Sea Brows also face huge detours through the town if they wish to access the Promenade.

Mr Taylor said: “I went along the path a couple of weeks ago. It is inaccessible.”

He said it was used as part of a training run by the Ellenborough Athletic Club but they are no longer able to use it.

Former councillor and life-time resident Vince Mulgrew said there was a general lack of maintenance in Maryport that would not happen in the neighbouring towns.

“I have no doubt we are being neglected,” he said.

Roman museum manager, Jane Laskey, said the damaged path was unsightly.

“We used to direct visitors down it and it was popular. It is not a good look for visitors to the town.”

The second path is on Mote Hill near what is known as The Settlement.

There have been concerns about Mote Hill for several years and Allerdale council has carried out work to stabilise it and protect houses at the top on High Street.

An Allerdale spokesman confirmed that the current path could not be repaired and a safe, suitable alternative was being discussed.

This was confirmed by Councillor Peter Kendall.

Coun Kendall said there were serious concerns about stability and he recognised that restoring both paths were not a particularly easy job.

However, in September last year Allerdale council set a target date of January 2017 for the paths to be re-opened.

This week the spokesman said the council was still looking for the money and at ways to carry out the work needed and no start date had been set.

Maryport Town Council has been in discussion with Allerdale about the work and Coun Kendall said the matter would be discussed again by Maryport Town Council later this month.