A COMMUNITY group has launched a digital map to help ramblers explore the countryside around Ramsbottom and Tottington.

Bury Rural Inequalities Forum (BRIF) created the Village Link, which joins up six villages in Bury, including Holcombe, Hawkshaw, Greenmount, Affetside, Nangreaves and Ainsworth.

Now BRIF has introduced digital maps to make it easier for walkers to discover routes around the 18 mile trail.

The trail consists of seven separate walks, each varying in length and scenery between two to five miles long.

In addition to the overall route map, each section comes with its own colour coded individual map, which show the route and places of interest along it, including picnic sites, viewpoints and landmarks.

Adam Shackleton, the artist behind the maps, said: “The site encompasses six different areas from Ramsbottom through to Affetside and Tottington.

“I was asked by the members of BRIF to create the Village Link website with all the routes mapped out.

“I wanted to make it as simple and easy as possible for people to use so the site is quite self-explanatory.

“It’s great because it means people can follow the map on their phones or download the PDFs and use them that way.

“The whole idea is pretty unique and so far has proved really popular with people in our local area.

“You may enjoy starting at one village, walking to the next one you fancy, then simply walking back to your starting point, enjoying the different views on the way back. Both sets of directions are flagged up for you.

“All the routes are 100 per cent waymarked to avoid any confusion - look out for the green and white discs marked Village Link and you won’t or can’t go far wrong.”

People can also learn about the local history of the area while using the maps and discover public transport connections along the way.

Family-run cafes, public toilets and 18th and 19th century inns, selling food and drink, are also highlighted along each route.

Dr Falmai Binns, chairman of BRIF, said: “Adam’s done a fantastic job at putting the new graphics of Ramsbottom together.

“They’re almost like old railway posters and I’m absolutely thrilled with them.”

To discover a route, go to village-link.com