A FARNWORTH shop owner who wrote a guide to safe bike trips was badly hurt when he cycled into a rope strung across one of his own recommended routes.

David Dunn, who owns Walkaround Shoes in Brackley Street, broke his hip when he hit the rope across a bridleway.

Mr Dunn, aged 58, who wrote Safe Cycle Routes in Bury, has not been able to cycle since the accident on land belonging to Captain's Farm, of Pilsworth Road, Bury.

He required surgery and still has to have regular physiotherapy sessions.

Mr Dunn, who lives in Bury, will have to wait until next year to find out how much compensation he will receive after the farm's insurers, Farming General Services, admitted liability.

The final settlement cannot be calculated until Mr Dunn has completed his treatment and the long-term impact on his health has been established.

Lawyer Jacci Griffiths, from Manchester law firm Linder Myers, said: "Although it was a bright summer's evening, Mr Dunn did not see the rope across the path until it was too late.

"He still cannot cycle and has to walk with a stick. This has adversely affected his business."

Farmer Jim Booker explained that the thin rope had been fastened across the bridleway to help farm staff round up cattle.

Mr Booker said: "The string is bright orange and there are usually a couple of pieces of plastic tied to it so it can be seen. It was only up for 10 minutes.

"We have no alternative but to put it up. We are near the M66 and it's to stop the cows straying.

"What happened was very unfortunate but I think it was a one-off.

"We have done this for years and nobody has ever run into it before."

Mr Dunn declined to comment yesterday.