A RIBBLE Valley company and kind-hearted truckers volunteered to help out disabled visitors to a beauty spot near Chorley.

Last year's wet winter at the Mere Sands Wood nature reserve had left the paths close to the Rufford village entrance almost impassable for visitors, staff and volunteers, and disabled access was completely cut off.

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside was delighted to receive a donation of 100 tonnes of aggregate from Clitheroe-based Castle Cement, a corporate member of the trust.

That still left the problem of moving it, so the trust appealed to hauliers across the county for help, which came from Stan Stock, of Chorley, who started the ball rolling by moving 20 tonnes of the material.

Other companies followed and soon the work was completed.

Dominic Rigby, site manager at Mere Sands Wood, said: "I was overwhelmed by the generosity of these companies.

"The paths are now repaired, enabling everyone to come and enjoy this fascinating site. They have done the Wildlife Trust and the many visitors to the reserve a huge favour."