RAMBLERS campaigning to open up Pennine moorland in East Lancashire to walkers held a public rally last night to help launch a landowner's access telephone hotline.

The Access to Boulsworth Campaign wants to open up large tracts of privately-owned moorland around Boulsworth Hill, Trawden, and between Burnley and Hebden Bridge, as well as other areas of the South Pennines, to ramblers.

The rally at Hebden Bridge coincided with the launch by the Ramblers' Association of the telephone line. The group has invited landowners to contact the access line and volunteer to open their currently forbidden areas of moorland to the public.

Ramblers' assistant director David Beskine told the rally that landowners who took part in the scheme would qualify for assistance. "First we would help them pull down their Keep Out signs and dispose of them thoughtfully," said Mr Beskine. "Second we would donate an all-weather sign declaring that it is now access land over which walkers are welcome, subject to responsible behaviour. Third we would publicise the moorland and any necessary restrictions. And fourth, we will publicly thank the landowners for their public-spirited behaviour.

"The Country Landowners' Association says it is keen on promoting new access and on landowners providing it voluntarily. This is the golden opportunity for landowners to come forward and volunteer. Our access line is open and we are waiting for the calls."

The access line number is 0171 793 7800 and the line will be open until Christmas.

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