AFTER years of campaigning for a clean-up of a walkway next to his house, Desmond Robson has got his own way - and had it named after him.

The 81-year-old lives in Callum Close, off Brinkburn Road, in Darlington, and the walkway runs between his house and the Brinkburn pub.

For four years, Mr Robson had been asking Darlington Borough Council to help.

Now, the council has resurfaced the walkway, provided pedestrian and cycle access and put in new lighting.

What's more, it has named it Desmond's Way.

It was officially opened by Mr Robson at a ceremony yesterday as the new street sign was put into place.

He said: "I'm absolutely ecstatic.

"This walkway will benefit the whole of the community. I'm pleased the work has been done.

"There were times when I thought we would never get to this stage, but I couldn't be happier."

The walkway also provides a handy shortcut from his home to the pub, where he enjoys the occasional tipple.

The official opening was attended by Alan Milburn, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Darlington, ward councillors, friends and neighbours, who cheered when Mr Robson raised his pint glass while standing beside the new sign.

Mr Milburn said: "Desmond has done fantastically.

"His campaign wasn't just for himself, but the whole community."

The reason it took so long for the work to be carried out was because no one seemed to know who owned the land.

Cockerton East ward Councillor Brian Thistlethwaite said: "The walkway was not council land and no one else seemed to want to claim responsibility for it.

""We acquired the land after going through the necessary legal process, which took some time, but started the work as soon as we could.

"Mr Robson regularly attends the ward surgeries, which have been held in this area for the last two years, and takes a keen interest in things that are happening.

"Having work carried out on the walkway was his key issue. I'm really pleased the council agreed to name it after him.

" This is very unusual. He is a lovely man - a model citizen.