RAMBLERS today accused county council bosses of 'dragging their heels' over plans to build a new bridge which would complete the Ribble Way walk.

Dozens of walkers are holding a protest at the confluence of the rivers Ribble and Calder at Little Mitton, near Whalley, on Saturday.

The county council has insisted it is committed to the £500,000 space-age bridge but it has been held up by negotiations with landowners. The structure would enable the popular 70-mile Ribble Way to run along the river for its entire route, which runs from Longton near Preston to Ribblehead, beyond Settle.

Currently, walkers are diverted across fields and along a road before crossing the river.

It will also link several other public footpaths which have come to a dead end ever since the Hacking Ferry ceased crossing the rivers from Hacking Hall to Little Mitton in 1955.

The design of the bridge was first unveiled in 2001.

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

"We are committed to building the bridge, it is a major project to us, and will cost £500,000."

Tony Clarkson, from the North East Lancashire Area branch of The Ramblers, said: "We feel enough is enough."