CAMPAIGNERS who have battled to get improvements to a section of canal towpath in Skipton are celebrating after being told the work will be carried out.

Canal and River Trust chiefs have said they have found the cash to repair a section of 600 metres between the Gawflat Swing Bridge and Sawley Street.

Broughton Road residents pushed for work on the deeply-rutted path throughout last winter, claiming it was impassable in places and potentially dangerous after heavy rain.

And one of the leaders of the campaign, Councillor Peter Madeley, called for the path to be "fixed or closed" after 73-year-old Anne Whitmore slipped and fell into the canal at the beginning of April.

She was rescued by a passer-by after spending ten minutes in the canal up to her neck in water.

Cllr Madeley put the campaigners' case to Trust chiefs during a meeting at Craven District Council's Belle Vue offices in March.

He said: "This is great news and we are looking forward to repairs being carried out before the onset of next winter.

"This is a real success after all the hard work we have done during a long period of time. I am told the Canal and River Trust is looking for a contractor to carry out the work within its budget, so hopefully it can be started fairly soon."

More than 500 residents signed a petition calling for action after a campaign had rumbled on for several years. The canal towpath is well used by visitors to Skipton, as well as by college students, schoolchildren, rail travellers and walkers.

The campaign intensified towards the end of last year when work was carried out to improve a stretch of path in the opposite direction.

It is understood at least some of the cash is left over from that and other canalside works.

Cllr Madeley added: "Obviously, we are grateful the Canal and River Trust has managed to find the cash and that will hopefully mean a more pleasant and 'safer' path by the time winter arrives."