THE Pendle MP who paved the way for ramblers to enjoy hundreds of acres of extra moorland in the borough today hailed the relaxation of the laws governing land as "historic and irreversible".

And to mark the occasion, Labour MP Gordon Prentice took part in a seven-mile walk on Bouldsworth Moor.

On Sunday, the first new areas where walkers have a "right to roam" were unveiled in the North-West and South-East.

Mr Prentice went up to the Alcomden Stones with dozens of other ramblers to celebrate the first effects of the countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

Originally, Mr Prentice prompted the Government to act by introducing his own Right to Roam Bill to the Commons in 1998.

He subsequently made a powerful speech at a Labour Party Conference.

And he is delighted at the result of his early labours.

He said: "I told people there that it was a historic day. Finally, after all the campaigning and cajoling, we have got the right to roam on moorland.

"And that is good news for people in East Lancashire because there are hundreds of acres of moors around.

"I told them that this legislation was irreversible. No future Government will undo it.

"But we need to work closely with landowners to make this work.

"I was very pleased with the attitude of Yorkshire Water, who, after years of refusing access, have done a splendid job in opening Bouldsworth up.

"It's taken four years to get to the point where the North-West is one of the first areas to have a right to roam."