Volunteers' praise for path work

Many of the volunteers are retired

Volunteers who give up weekends to help repair and improve footpaths in Powys have been praised for their hard work.

Powys Countryside Volunteers, which has 140 members, last year replaced 25 foot and bridleway bridges, repaired 30 and cleaned and maintained 70 more.

Altogether, Powys Council looks after 5,176 miles (8,330km) of paths and more than 12,000 public rights of way.

It said without voluntary help, it would be difficult to carry out the work needed to maintain all the paths.

Many of the volunteers in the group are retired people who enjoy the countryside.

Sheila Turner, 64, and husband Stanley, 69, from Llanidloes, have been working on rights of way for seven years and donate one day a week to the project, on average.

Driving force

Mrs Turner said after 40 years working in an office it was great to be outdoors.

She added: "We are keen walkers and that was the other driving force.

"It can be frustrating when you come across a blocked path, but instead of moaning about it you can do something about it."

Councillor Gareth Morgan, who is responsible for countryside services at Powys Council, said: "I'm consistently amazed at just how much work is undertaken by our volunteers.

"The support they now directly give to our countryside services team is helping transform countryside access across the county."