WE are very lucky to live close to the limestone dominated scenery of the Ribble Valley. In recent months we have all complained about the amount of heavy rain which has led to some flooding.

Millions of years ago, however, what is now the area between Clitheroe and Settle was covered in a shallow sea in which lived billions of creatures called crinoids, also known as sea lilies. These are animals and not plants.

As the climate changed the sea evaporated and the bodies of the crinoids were laid down in what is known as sedimentary rocks.

I followed the footpath around Salthill geology trail, on the outskirts of Clitheroe just off the A59. This was created by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust in association with Castle Cement.

Among the tubular shaped fossils I found growths of rock rose, a plant which grows very well in limestone areas. At one time, no doubt because of its colour and shape, it was known as the sun daisy and also as soldiers buttons.

It was really interesting to sit close to animals which thrived more than 300 million years ago and next to an attractive plant growing in the modern day Ribble Valley.