A COWLING rambler has been commissioned to devise a series of walks in and around Silsden.

Allan Friswell plans to compile several leaflets showcasing short circular walks using the many miles of public footpaths in the town.

Silsden Town Council agreed to provide £500 towards the cost of the Silsden Strolls project.

Mr Friswell believes Silsden offers a better prospect for walks than his home village due to its varied network of paths.

He said: “Because of the geography and topography of Silsden, set on the hills, you get wonderful views.

“Silsden has a lots of nice hidden footpaths, so there’s no problem putting walks together.”

Southerner Mr Friswell, who has lived in the Keighley area for about eight years, became interested in Silsden after surveying its footpaths for the Ramblers.

He intends to compile at least four Silsden Strolls, possibly as many as eight, publishing them in pairs with maps and directions.

He said: “The council hopes the walks will bring tourists in, and I want to show the people of Silsden what they’re missing.

“It was a bit of an eye-opener to me when I did the footpaths survey. I thought it would also be an eye-opener to the people of Silsden.”

In the longer term Mr Friswell wants to improve the signs directing walks around the footpaths.

Silsden town mayor Chris Atkinson hoped the new footpaths leaflets would attract people to the town.

He said: “These paths have been here for centuries, and it’s good to get them used.”