PATHWAYS in Lilford Wood are wheelchair friendly once again after the help form an Environment Agency (EA) team.

Four EA workers from Bedford Pumping Station armed with petrol driven leaf blowers and a van spent a full day clearing pathways on the wheelchair friendly walks in the woods as part of an Employee Volunteer Scheme.

David Sykes, chair of the Friends of Lilford Park, said: “These walks were provided jointly by Wigan Council and the EA several years ago and every year they are carpeted with autumn leaves which, although picturesque for a time eventually decay into muddy loam on the pathways.

“They need to be cleared at an appropriate time during the fall and the EA have kindly provided this service free of charge to The Friends today.

“We extend our hearty thanks to Sean McGarigan, Vic Sinar, Stephen Culshaw, Andy Gregory and to their Team Leader Wayne Lancaster for their kindness, good humour and hard work.

“The walkway is now a better place for wheelchairs and disability scooters than it was and will be less prone to becoming muddy in the coming winter months.”