AN ANCIENT stone guide post has been restored at Sutton.

The post – originally about five feet tall – had been erected in 1749, but was removed and broken up early in the past century.

The top section of the structure was found about 25 years ago amongst rubble at Four Lane Ends Cottage, near the village.

And it remained in the garden of the property until earlier this year when owner, Jane Firth, gave local historians, Robin Longbottom and Chris Riley, permission to remove it.

Now, the restored stone is back in place at Four Lane Ends.

"The face of the stone directs travellers 'To Settell (Settle) M (blank) and Kighle(y) M 4' and on the back 'Cown (Colne) M 6'," said Mr Longbottom.

"The letters and directional hands are rather crudely carved, and the spelling gives a good indication of the local pronunciation of the place names at that time.

"We were surprised that it directed travellers to Settle, but a little further research has revealed this was once the route of an old highway linking the market towns of Keighley and Settle, and that it passed through Laycock, Lane Ends at Cowling, Elslack, East Marton, Swinden – near Hellifield – and Long Preston before reaching Settle.

"Remarkably, a further five guide posts along the ancient route to Settle still survive.

"The old highway fell out of use towards the end of the 18th century when the Keighley to Kendal turnpike road was built, taking the route via Skipton."

He paid tribute to all those who had supported the restoration project.

Among them were David Airey, of New Bridge Farm at Sutton, who allowed the stone to be incorporated into his wall; retired dry stone waller George Dimitrijevic and stonemason Martin Swift, who inscribed a new base and secured the post in position.

Two years ago, Mr Longbottom and Mr Riley wrote a book after spending many months walking Sutton's ancient boundary and carrying out meticulous research.

They identified and recorded all the surviving boundary stones – about 30 of them – and marks.

Profits from sales of the book — Riding the Boundary of the Old Township of Sutton-in-Craven – went to Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice Manorlands.