MP Janet Anderson has won a promise from council chiefs to bring back bridleways to Darwen and Blackburn.

Currently the borough has none because some years before gaining independence, Lancashire County Council downgraded them to footpaths.

But with growing numbers of people owning and riding horses - especially in Darwen - pressure has grown to reclassify these paths for equestrians.

Recently Rossendale and Darwen MP Mrs Anderson, along with representatives of the local bridleways association had a two hour meeting with officers at the town hall.

Although there are presently no designated bridleways in the whole of the borough, they have agreed to get to grips with this and sort it out.

This includes acting to deal with some applications for upgrading of footpaths, cart tracks and other rights of way to bridleways that have been stuck in the legal department at the town hall for some time.

Mrs Anderson said: "I was once told that I had more horseriders in my constituency than any other in the country. I can believe that. There are 49 families and 60 horses on Pickup Bank alone - and they tell me that farmers around there are increasingly diversifying into livery to make a living.

"I have had a very positive meeting with officers of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and am delighted that they have agreed to do all they can to make sure that the network of bridleways which clearly exists in Darwen is given proper recognition.

"Horseriding is a very important leisure activity for people in my constituency. They are council tax payers like everyone else and they deserve a better deal.

"We had to fight long and hard for the Pennine Bridleway from Cumbria through to East Lancashire and beyond.

"We achieved it largely thanks to the unstinting efforts of the late Mary Towneley. It is now time to make sure that we do the same in Darwen and Blackburn. This is also important for the development of tourism in Darwen. Darwen is a lovely town and the potential for attracting visitors is huge and so far largely unexploited.

"With the beautiful moors above the town, we could develop the tourist trade for horseriders and walkers if we were more welcoming to them. This would be a major economic boost."

Andy Kay, an executive member at Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "Prior to Blackburn and Darwen gaining unitary status a decision was made by the county council to change the status of a number of bridleways and footpaths.

"Blackburn with Darwen council, after listening to representations from a number of horse riding groups, is now reviewing this decision as part of its strategy to open up the moorlands in the south of the borough to leisure and tourist opportunities."