RESIDENTS campaigning to protect the Trans Pennine Trail from development united for an awareness walk on Sunday.

The event started at the entrance for the trail in Grappenhall, on Bradshaw Lane.

It was held as concerns over potential development through the site continue to mount.

Campaigner Helen Gurnani said: “It was fantastic that the weather changed its mind and we had a lovely sunny stroll along to Half Acre Lane and back, with lots of dogs, bikes and prams.

“The trail is such a user-friendly facility and well appreciated by all sorts of folks locally and by some coming through on longer hikes.

“There’s a wealth of wildlife up there.

“Sixty people came along and some of us stopped off at the British Legion for a drink and a chat on the way back.

“We’re already considering another walk later this year – and we’ve had some interesting suggestions for other things we can do in the community, which is bound to help bring people together to protect our green assets.”

Helen and Tanya Baker have regularly been spotted dressed as canaries as they campaign to protect sites across the borough from development.

The pair opted for canaries due to the ‘significance’ of canaries being associated with the warning of danger, or pollution.

Helen and Tanya are due to be at the Town Hall ahead of today's full council meeting.