After a lengthy battle, one councillor is delighted to see improvements finally completed on a town’s problem path.

For years, residents and councillors alike have been calling for Allerdale Borough Council to tarmac the rough track which leads from Bellbrigg Lonning, near Cockermouth's cemetery.

The route was often flooded and difficult to pass, making it difficult for many to visit loved ones' graves due to the path being in such a bad state.

Councillor Alan Smith, who represents All Saints Cockermouth ward on the borough council, believes the issues began with the Strawberry Grange development, forcing run-off water on to the path and creating mammoth puddles.

But after 18 months of corresponding with the council and developers, Coun Smith "finally" saw the results the whole town wished for – and he couldn't be more pleased.

"I talked with Allerdale [council] and the developers of Strawberry Grange, and they kept passing it on to each other say it was the other's problem," he said.

"Then just before Christmas, Allerdale got its contractors [Tivoli] to come down and get the mud cleared away, and put in French drain that should really help with the flooding."

He continued: "It's fantastic that it's been resurfaced and has proper drainage, and I'm so pleased it's finally been dealt with.

"The path is used by so many people – dog walkers, joggers, and it's a safe way to get to the school, so it was important to make the way safe and passable again."

And it's not just the councillor who's delighted, as he's received countless comments both in-person and online from residents who are over the moon with the final look.

Coun Smith said: "The [council] officers went the extra mile to get this done, because they normally have to wait until summer to do this sort of work, but they worked so hard to get it done and I'm so grateful.

"Tivoli did a fantastic job with it as well – they're a credit to the council, and everyone in town is so pleased."