CAMPAIGNERS battling to save a popular footpath from slipping into the waters of Britain's fastest-flowing river are hoping formal blueprints for a rescue plan will strengthen their case.

The Easby Footpath Restoration Group was formed two years ago after floods tore out a section of the north bank of the River Swale. The damage meant walkers could no longer complete the Drummer Boy Walk, said to follow the route of a legendary underground tunnel linking Richmond Castle with Easby Abbey.

Concern over safety prompted North Yorkshire County Council to apply to alter the course of the footpath away from the crumbling river bank. However, the new pressure group resisted the proposals, prompting a public inquiry which subsequently ruled against them.

Nevertheless, campaigners have refused to give up; they have already raised about a third of the £75,000 required to shore up the river banks with blocks of stone.

However, the action group has recognised unlocking more grants may be easier if the district council was to give a restoration project formal planning consent. As a result, it has agreed to spend some of its hard-earned cash on having blueprints drawn up.

Easby Footpath Restoration Group chairman Anne Frizell said: "We still have a long way to go but we hope having definite plans will put us on a more professional footing."

If the council approves the scheme, a public exhibition will be held to allow the public a view of the proposals, originally listed for debate at Richmondshire District Council's environment committee meeting this evening.

However, planning officer Peter Featherstone said consultation on the application had only just finished and planning officers felt they needed more time to complete a comprehensive report. He said: "We know it involves re-grading with stone, following the line of the north bank of the Swale but we have not yet got to the stage of a formal recommendation."