RESIDENTS in Leigh will soon be able to stride out across open land at Higher Folds thanks to a £157,000 footpath restoration scheme.

The project, which began at the end of last month, launched the Forestry Commission's scheme to transform the former colliery site into a community woodland.

During the course of the footpath work some rights of way will have to be temporarily closed off, although diversion routes will be clearly signposted.