PARISH councillors are celebrating a back-to-the-future move to protect the heritage of their village.

Bolton by Bowland Parish Council campaigned for a new fingerpost in Holden which has restored the historical look of the area.

The sign was installed after a 'modern' sign became discoloured and the parish council wanted to revert back to the traditional style.

The base of the old signpost was located across the road in a private garden, but when salvaged it was found to be too damaged to repair.

An entirely new signpost using the traditional design was created by Duncan Armstrong from Padiham, and was funded by the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The post was installed using the traditional style used by West Riding Council when this area of Lancashire was still part of Yorkshire.

It was officially unveiled by Bolton by Bowland Parish Council with Ribble Valley mayor Richard Sherras as well as local residents and supporters.

Coun Sherras said: “Traditional sign posts give the countryside a very distinctive look and it is wonderful that the parish council have brought this back to Holden.

“English Heritage are campaigning for more people in our rural areas to follow their example so that we will keep the character and tradition of our rural roads.”

The sign joins a number of other refurbished and new traditional signs appearing in Ribble Valley villages including ones at Grindleton, Waddington and Bolton by Bowland village green.

The call to save fingerposts is contained in a Traffic Advisory Leaflet launched in 2005 by the Department of Transport in partnership with English Heritage, the Countryside Agency and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Philip Davies, English Heritage planning and development director said: “Fingerposts are not only attractive in their own right but have become icons that are important to national as well as to rural identity.

“They enrich the countryside wherever they are found and enhance local character which is so important to local communities. “Traditional direction signs are an integral part of the character of the English countryside and suburbs. They are part of the world-famous image of England that so many visitors come to see and enjoy. Many still survive, but are in urgent need of repair and restoration.”