RESIDENTS have won their fight to have a footpath re-opened after The Citizen featured their plight

The path which runs from Lytham Road to Seymour Drive, in Ashton, was closed off by a resident, whose driveway is next to it. Keith Jamieson built fences across which prevented people from using it.

But angry locals contacted The Citizen in May after the closure, complaining that many elderly people were forced to take a long detour to get to local shops and a social club.

This week work was under way to re-open the path and residents are hoping it will be a thoroughfare again by the weekend.

Bill Roach, 55, of nearby Ansdell Grove, who injured himself in an accident at work six years ago, has trouble with his walking and his sight.

He said: "It has virtually made me a prisoner in my own house. It's a long way round, and I have trouble walking."

Another resident John Muncaster said: "People will start using it again as soon as it's opened, take it from me. They pass my house every day, and they've said to me, with a bit of luck it will re-open.

"It will definitely get used.

"The inconvenience has been mainly to the elderly people like myself. If I want to go to Lane Ends to the shops, I have to walk all the way round. It's a fair hike up the hill, as it's quite steep."

Mr Jamieson refused to comment.

But local councillor Matthew Brown, who has backed the residents' plight, urged people to put their grievances behind them.

Coun Brown said: "We hope it will be re-opened within a matter of days.

"It's going to be good for the community. Hopefully they can put the past behind them with their access back."

A spokesman for the city council could not confirm the path is to be re-opened, but said: "We have received correspondence from Mr Jamieson's solicitors and are considering it."