A GROUP is hoping to put two villages on the walking map.

And Colne Valley councillors have given them a £30,000 boost.

The Slaithwaite and Golcar Walkers Are Welcome group formed in a bid to attract visitors to the area.

They’ve followed the example of the Marsden Walkers Are Welcome group, which is already proving a success.

Now the new group hopes to use the funding to create information about walks, improve and maintain footpaths and signposts for walkers coming to the area.

It will also contribute to local tourism and regeneration plans.

Clr Nicola Turner, a Colne Valley Liberal Democrat ward member, said: “As an area, we want to be making the best out of what we have to offer.

“The Walkers Are Welcome group are going to do a huge amount of good work improving the Public Rights of Way network up and down the Colne Valley which will help attract more people to our village centres.

“It’s right for us to support them and what they are aiming to achieve.”

Funding was approved at the Colne Valley Area Committee from its budget to spend on projects which improve and enhance the area.

Through grant applications and other funding the Marsden Walkers Are Welcome have already doubled the amount of money they were originally given, and it is hoped Slaithwaite and Golcar will follow the same path.

The work done by the group will not only benefit those coming into the area, but they hope residents will make use of the walking routes to promote regular exercise.

Clr Turner added: “The vast number of successful community organisations in the Colne Valley makes the area a shining example of what people can do for themselves when they have the will and the right sorts of support.

“The Walkers Are Welcome groups are another example of our ongoing tradition of community led action and the more groups we have like this the better”.