THE CLEVELAND Way has been re-routed through the North York Moors - to take in an historical chemical works.

The 110-mile national trail currently takes in the heather moorland and dramatic coast of the national park. But now it will also take in an industrial alum site.

Alum was vital to the booming English woollen textiles industry up until the early 19th century, used to fix and brighten dyes in textiles.

The Peak Alum Works at Ravenscar is a National Trust industrial heritage site was virtually unique in producing alum from Britain. It was create from shale mined from nearby cliffs.

The process used to create it was a closely-guarded secret and could take up to a year.

Shale was piled into huge bonfires that smoldered for nine months before being steeped in water to produce alum liquor.

At the works this was repeatedly heated and cooled to make the crystals used in the textiles industry.

One of the key ingredients in alum-making was ammonia. For this they used human urine, often collected by children from local families who would leave a jar out on their doorstep.

The Cleveland Way has been rerouted to take in the old workings and views across the sea to Robin Hood’s Bay and will be officially opened on Wednesday, March 27 at 10.30am.

Work on the trail was conducted by 15 national park and National Trust volunteers.

They cleared shrubs, shifted stones, resurfaced paths, built board walks across boggy ground and created steps up steep slopes.

National Trust Ranger Bill Blake said: “The support, commitment and hard work of volunteers have been amazing. Without them this project would still be in its planning stages.”

For more information visit: www.nationaltrail.co.uk/clevelandway