CAMPAIGNERS battling to save a popular footpath from slipping into the waters of England's fastest-flowing river are hoping blueprints for a rescue plan will strengthen their case.

The Easby Footpath Restoration Group was formed two years ago after floods tore out a section of the north bank of the River Swale.

The damage meant walkers could no longer complete the Drummer Boy Walk, said to follow the route of a legendary underground tunnel linking Richmond Castle with Easby Abbey.

Concern over safety prompted North Yorkshire County Council to apply to alter the course of the footpath away from the crumbling river bank.

However, the new pressure group resisted the proposals, prompting a public inquiry which subsequently ruled against them.

Nevertheless, campaigners have refused to give up and have already raised about one-third of the £75,000 needed to shore up the river banks with blocks of stone.

However, the action group recognised that unlocking more grants may be easier if the district council gave a restoration project formal planning consent.

As a result, it has agreed to pay for blueprints to be drawn up.

Easby Footpath Restoration Group chairman Anne Frizell said: "We still have a long way to go but we hope having definite plans will put us on a more professional footing.

"Some organisations will not consider grant applications from groups without planning permission, while having something definite for engineers to study could give everyone a better idea of the costings."

Mrs Frizell said restoration is becoming increasingly urgent, with the river already undercutting the new footpath which used to be set back away from the bank.

If the council approves the scheme, a exhibition will be held to give the public a view of the proposals, originally listed for debate at Richmondshire District Council's environment committee meeting on Tuesday.

However, planning officer Peter Featherstone, said consultation on the application had just finished and planning officers needed more time to complete a comprehensive report.

"We know it involves re-grading with stone, following the line of the north bank of the Swale but we have not yet got to the stage of a formal recommendation,'' he said.