'Overgrown' footpath fears

A footpath mapped out through the Herefordshire countryside to commemorate the life of one of the county's best known heroines has been allowed to fall into disrepair, according to the group who helped establish it.

The Allied Special Forces Association said it fears the Violette Szabo Trail may now not be ready for the county's festival of walks later this month.

The trail, which leads walkers through six miles of countryside associated with the famous World War II special operations executive, was first opened in August 2000.

But the ASFA says it has become a jungle best suited for the survival of the fittest.

The organisation says despite a lot of publicity, nobody seems interested in treading the scenic route between Hereford and the Violet Szabo museum in Wormloe.

As a result, many sections of the path have become overgrown or been lost to farmers' crops.

The association has now written a letter of complaint to Herefordshire Council.