Fed-up residents are calling for action to repair two footpaths in Maryport which have been closed for more than eight months.

The Fairy Path near the Promenade and the Mote Hill pathway, close to The Settlement, suffered severe damage from Storm Desmond in December.

It has now been revealed that the Mote Hill damage, caused by a landslide, is irreparable so work is ongoing to find a new route.

The Fairy Path can be repaired but it will not be completed for another five months.

Residents now face huge detours through town and say they want the problem solved as soon as possible.

Brian Taylor, director of community sport at the town’s Netherhall School, said the closure of the paths, especially the one near the Promenade, was causing major problems.

He is now calling on those responsible to either reopen the paths as soon as possible or find an alternative route.

“It’s an absolute nightmare,” he said.

“I used to live in the house opposite the Fairy Path and hundreds of tourists use it to walk to the Roman museum and regulars walk along it a lot.”

Mr Taylor also coaches at Ellenborough Athletics Club and said the closure is causing a disturbance for members.

He said: “We have training sessions down the Fairy Path to the Promenade especially on winter nights and in the past we have taken children from the school and are hoping to start athletics up again in September.”

Angela Kendall, councillor for Netherhall ward, said it’s became “custom and practice” for people to use both of the paths.

“The paths tend to link things,” she said. “It’s a long way to walk round when you can cut through.”

Jane Laskey, museum manager at Senhouse Roman Museum, said that although the Promenade path closure has not affected the number of people visiting the museum, it will be an inconvenience for locals.

“It’s a path that local people use a lot when walking,” she said. “You can’t just nip straight down to the Prom, so they face a big detour.

“The path is all closed off with security posting and it bothers people who live on Sea Brows to see these things.”

An Allerdale council spokeswoman said steps are now being taken to find a new route for the irreparable Mote Hill path, which was destroyed by a landslide.

“We want to find a solution soon and are in negotiations with the owners of the allotments situated next to the current pathway in the hopes of getting it safely repositioned,” she added.

The Promenade footpath was damaged by a “minor landslide”, the spokeswoman said, meaning the land has to be rebuilt and terraced, but is repairable.

“Allerdale council is currently working with designers to ensure the path will be safe and suitable for public use,” she added.

“Once this has been completed, construction can begin and the path will be reopened with a target date of around January 2017.”