THE public footpath along the Shawl in Leyburn was damaged by huntsmen only an hour after the mayor had shown off new disabled access.

And if the damage is not repaired soon it will be almost impossible for people in wheelchairs to use it.

Pro-hunt and anti-hunt residents were united in their condemnation of Bedale Hunt, not only because the footpath was damaged but also because some of the limestone pasture between the path and the A684 was churned up as well.

Only an hour before the hunt followed a fox into Leyburn on Saturday, March 2, Mayor Trixie Walker was showing Richmondshire District Council chairman Jane Metcalfe the work that had been done on the Shawl to provide disabled access. Three years ago, with a grant of £1,245, special gates were installed so that people in wheelchairs and parents with pushchairs could use the path.

Town clerk Julie Forrest said: "The path needs to be smoothed out while it is still wet. If it dries out like that, we will never get it back to what it was."

Bedale Hunt master David Ford said the hounds had picked up the scent of a fox to the west of Leyburn. They then lost the scent and scattered, trying to find it again.

In trying to retrieve the hounds, some of the huntsmen went up on to the Shawl, before rejoining the hunt. Mr Ford said: "The last thing we want to do is cause any problems. We don't want to spoil anyone else's enjoyment of the countryside.