THE farmer at the centre of a footpath row in Westhoughton has been charged with assault after being secretly filmed for a countryside action TV programme.

Video footage taken by Channel Four film-makers for the Countryside Undercover programme will be used in the proceedings at Bolton Magistrates Court next month.

The charges relate to an alleged incident, captured by hidden cameras, when ramblers attempted to walk the footpath at Landlord's Farm, on the Bolton-Wigan border last year.

The TV programme aimed to probe startling national statistics that a quarter of all public rights of way along footpaths are impassable.

In 1991 "Footpath 26 Westhoughton" went to planning inquiry to determine the right of the way on the land owned by the farmer, William Hurst. Although the DoE Inspector ruled there was a right of way across the site, an alternative route was agreed.

The Open Space Society and other groups have since lodged an objection to the diverted route and another public inquiry is set to take place.

Mr Hurst, who did not know he was being filmed for the TV programme, is consulting a National Farmers Union solicitor, to fight the charges. He is charged with a common assault, causing actual bodily harm and wilful obstruction. Police firearms officers are investigating a complaint over the use of a firearm. Detective Sergeant Glyn Winstanley from Westhoughton Police said that film-makers were assisting the police with their enquiries.

Mr Hurst has always maintained that he does not mind walkers using the diverted path agreed at the inquiry - but not the original route. The case will go before Bolton Magistrates on July 8.

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