NEW rights to walk across countryside and wild, remote parts of the Clitheroe area will tomorrow be discussed at a public roadshow in the town.

At the meeting, which runs from 12.30pm to 7.30pm at the Ribble Valley Borough Council chambers in Church Walk, the Countryside Agency will give people the chance to have their say on the increasing access to land closed to the public for generations.

Paul Mutch, its senior officer, said: "Almost 150,000 hectares of land in the lower North West region could soon be opened up to the public.

"The new rights of way will give people the opportunity to walk freely in wild and remote areas which until now have been closed to the public. The roadshow will have maps on display which will detail where the new access rights will apply."

He added: "The Countryside and Rights of Way Act last year will enable people to walk freely across 'open country' -- mountain, moor, heath and downland -- and registered common land.

"The new right will effect everyone from landowners and ramblers to people who have a small area of land close to where they live, remote moorland or a small area of commonland for instance, where access is currently denied. Under the new legislation this land could be opened".

He said: "This is the most important legislation for 50 years and will give people new rights to walk in vast new areas.

"I'd encourage everyone to take this chance to visit the roadshow to see what land has been included and then give us their views. By making sure access is mapped correctly they will not only benefit everyone now, but future generations."

The roadshow, with public presentations at 1.15pm and 6.30pm, will give everyone, including landowners, ramblers and other interested parties, the opportunity to view the maps, speak to Countryside Agency representatives and lodge any written comments, which must be submitted by February 12, 2002.

A spokesperson for the Ramblers' Association said: "This is excellent news for ramblers and everyone who enjoys the countryside, especially after the foot and mouth outbreak. So much land has been shut down and these new rights of way will be eagerly awaited.

"The whole idea of being able to explore remote and wild parts of the area is very exciting."

Draft maps are available from most local authority offices and libraries and can also be accessed on the agency's website at www.countryside.gov.uk/access/mapping

Any changes made in light of the public's comments will be shown in provision maps early next year. The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will look at appeals lodged against the maps, including by those who may have a legal interest in the land, before giving the go ahead.

Other local areas to hold public roadshows include Skipton Town Hall on January 9 and Haslingden Library on January 10.