WALKERS are drumming up support for a campaign to save a footpath from closure.

The Chester-le-Street Group of the Ramblers' Association wants people to object to the blocking of a footpath from Crichton Avenue to the riverside.

A public inquiry will be held in June and the group is urging people to write letters to show support for keeping the right of way open.

Audrey Watson, 76, a member of the Ramblers' Association, who has used the footpath all her life, said it was used regularly by walkers, fishermen, dog-walkers and people who go to the nearby allotments.

Mrs Watson said: "We're very limited regarding the number of walks we can do, so we should be keeping footpaths open and not closing them down."

Durham County Council has backed a Crichton Avenue resident's application to have the path closed over fears about security to homes.

Members of the authority's highways committee agreed in 2001 to the closure after receiving a petition from other residents and letters of support for the closure from local councillors, as well as Durham Constabulary.

The committee rejected the recommendation of then director of environment and technical services Chris Tunstall, who said at the time: "There is no apparent suitable alternative route which would allow the public to walk along the river bank area. Any alternative route linking with footpath number 20 would involve using footways running alongside metalled roads, which include the A167 carrying busy vehicular traffic."

The inquiry will be held on June 16 in the council chamber of the Civic Centre, in Chester-le-Street.

Letters of objection, or support for the closure of the footpath, should be sent to The Planning Inspectorate, Room 4/04, Kite Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN.

To join the campaign call local Ramblers' Association treasurer and acting footpaths officer David Middleton on 0191- 388 3225.