THE long running saga over a diverted footpath is set to rumble on for another five months -- at least.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has handed over plans to shut a footpath which runs through the Charles Turner paper manufacturers, Belmont, to the Secretary of State for the Regions.

Council bosses want to re-direct part of the Belmont Valley path down a new £14,500 path which avoids the factory.

The council says it only wants to close the old route because it is dangerous to walk through factory premises.

Ramblers and residents oppose the plans because they say the new routes are much harder to walk over.

The council has already dropped court proceedings to force the closure of the path after rambling groups opposed it; 59 objections were received when fresh plans were unveiled to close it last year.

Now the seven-year saga will come to an end with a final decision from a public inquiry.

No date has been set to the inquiry yet -- but the local Government office North West has approved that the path running through the firm's yard can be shut until May at least.

Details of the delay were presented to members of the planning and highways committee of Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Local councillor Jean Rigby said: "While it may be unsafe to walk through a factory, I feel the new route is even less safe because it runs along roads as well.

"The council should listen to the people it is supposed to serve and back down."