DRAINAGE engineers have been called in to help keep walkers feet dry at a popular beauty spot.

The Long Walk at Gibside, near Burnopfield, attracts more than 250,000 visitors a year, to enjoy a stroll along its route, which includes an avenue of English oaks.

To ensure that the walk remains open to the public during busy times, the National Trust commissioned Lanes Group’s Newcastle depot to carry out CCTV drainage surveys at key points along its length.

The team used a robotic crawler camera to survey nearly 90 metres of surface water drainage pipe, recording HD-quality CCTV footage of its condition.

The survey report can be used by the Gibside conservation team to plan any maintenance work and ensure the ground along the route of the walk, drains efficiently.

Helen McDonald, head ranger at Gibside, said: “The Lanes drainage engineers did a very thorough job for us and thankfully no major problems were found.

“The Long Walk is one of Gibside’s most popular attractions. It is vital it is well maintained and we will continue the upkeep of the pipes to try and prevent closure during the wet months.”

A range of pipes of different sizes, shapes and materials were investigated, including square and circular masonry-lined culverts which could date turn of the 18th Century.