A callout for support has been made by a footpath group outside of Carlisle, which says there is a ‘sizeable backlog of repairs’ needed on footpaths in the Ivegill area.

The Redspearlands and Ivegill Footpath Group said that some of the footpaths in the area formerly covered by Inglewood Forest have been damaged by successive storms.

The group has invited members of the public to help repair some of the footpaths or report similar issues on footpaths in their own local area.

“It’s not a danger at the moment, but if they don’t get attention they could be in the future,” said Redspearlands and Ivegill Footpath Group Chairman David Wood.

“The river bank at Dalston is slowly corroding and falling into the river, and part of the riverside footpath is part of it.

“When the side of the river bank collapses, it will take some part of the footpath with it.

“I’ve got some plans to divert the footpath through the trees at the back.”

According to David, some of the issues along the footpaths in the Ivegill area also include damage to the styles.

He added: “It’s rotting wood on the styles and some of the steps are loose and getting very rickety.”

The area between Ivegill and Dalston is covered by a network of waterways, like the River Caldew, River Roe and the River Ive.

David said successive storms are one of the causes of erosion on some of the footpaths and damage to the styles.

He added: “People come out from Carlisle for the weekend to have a picnic by the river and have a walk.

"We seem to take it for granted in Dalston, but quite frankly it’s a minor beauty spot.”

David has already had some support for the group's cause so far.

He said: "I’ve been impressed by the support we’ve already had from the public, from members of Dalston Parish Council and the County Council."

Visit the Redspearlands and Ivegill Footpath Group on Facebook.