Those who like to go walking may find their local footpaths fall into disrepair as a result of the government cuts announced this week, the Ramblers has argued.

Chief executive of the body Tim Franklin said when the reduction in public spending feeds through to local authorities, they may sacrifice maintenance budgets in favour of other services.

He said: "Walking in the countryside will be taken back 50 years, to a time when you were lucky to be able to reach the end of a path without difficulty."

Mr Franklin called for councils to carry on paying for the upkeep of such routes.

Those buying walking boots may wish to buy strong ones capable of dealing with poor paths if their local authorities cut spending in this area.

Some footpaths are not the responsibility of councils as they are on land owned by charities such as the National Trust or John Muir Trust.

The latter body's land includes the Qunag Ridge in the Scottish Highlands, on which the Trust reported last week that work to create a new footpath has been making "excellent progress".

Posted by Elaine Arthur