A MAJOR long-distance route is to run through parts of rural Cumbria, after the Government approved controversial plans to extend the Pennine Bridleway.

Rural affairs minister Alun Michael has backed Countryside Agency proposals for a 141-mile extension to the national trail, to run from the Fat Lamb Inn, Ravenstonedale, past Appleby and through Dufton into the Eden Valley.

Once constructed, the full trail will be 347 miles long, running from Derbyshire to Byrness in Northumberland, and will be suitable for horse-riders, cyclists and walkers, with no stiles or steps, but easy-to-use gates and special road crossing points.

The first section of the route, from Derbyshire to Kirkby Stephen, should be open by 2004.

Funding of around £3million will be sought for the northern extension, which could be open in four years time.

Ewen Cameron, chairman of the Countryside Agency, said the new route would offer remote rural communities and businesses a great opportunity to raise income.

Public paths from the trail will be well signed to nearby villages to encourage walkers, cyclists and horse-riders to use local shops, post offices, B&Bs and hotels.

Paul Bonsall, owner of the Fat Lamb Hotel and Restaurant, where the extension is due to start, said he thought the announcement was extremely good news.

"I think it will be good business obviously for the hotel, but also for the whole area.

I think it will help bring people into Cumbria from both directions, the north and the south, and I just hope they manage to meet the deadline of 2004."

Paul Rock, co-owner of the Rattan and Rush, a tearoom and whole food shop on Market Street, Kirkby Stephen, added: "It can only do good in terms of more people coming through.

The more people that come into the area the better as far as I'm concerned."

Liz Rawlinson, of Dufton Post Office, also welcomed the news, saying any extra trade would definitely be beneficial for the village.

She also questioned if the new route could assist the campaign to save the Dufton Youth Hostel from possible closure, saying walkers and riders would need accommodation along the route.

But Penrith and Border MP David Maclean, who opposed the proposals for a northern extension three years ago, told the Gazette he still had major concerns about the planned route, with some sections running through farm yards, in front of houses and directly through someone's garden.

He said landowners had not been fully consulted, no thought had been given to the provision of facilities such as toilets, and few people would benefit economically as most of the route was in remote parts of the countryside.

Mr Maclean added: "It's typical DEFRA - approving something that's going to have a huge impact on people's lives, and riding rough-shod over what local people want."