RAMBLERS today accused Lancashire County Council of putting walkers' lives at risk and detering tourists - because they haven't built a £500,000 bridge.

Despite first raising the idea for a bridge over the Ribble-Calder confluence almost a decade ago, as well as presenting a design for the three-pronged construction four years ago, work by the county council has yet to begin.

The bridge would mean walkers could complete the whole length of the Ribble Way, which runs from Longton near Preston and into Yorkshire, without having to take a detour via local roads.

Tony Clarkson, from the North East Lancashire Area branch of the Ramblers, said: "This lack of action is annoying. The money and design is in place but nothing seems to be happening.

"The lack of action is putting lives at risk.

"People currently have to walk along one side of the river to cross over it to walk back along.

"And it is costing tourism a lot of money as well.

"This bridge would create a lot of circular walks by providing the final link in them. We want action soon."

But A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "Delays have been caused by the discussions with landowners.

"We are committed to building the bridge."