Major improvement works on a dilapidated footpath have started in a bid to encourage more pupils to walk to school.

Nearly £20,000 is being spent to upgrade the footpath alongside Springfield Road in Ulverston after concerns the walkway deterred children from walking to school.

The footpath, which is adjacent to St Mary's Primary School, is currently 'dingy' and 'muddy' – with hopes that a renovation will attract more children to walk to school every day.

The project, which is being financed by Cumbria County Council's Environment Fund, is predicted to take about ten to 12 weeks to complete, and is estimated to cost about £18k – substantially less than the original spending total of £40k.

The pathway is currently closed until further notice while the works are carried out.

Ulverston town councillor Mark Wilson welcomed the news that work had started on the pathway. He hopes the improvements will encourage children to opt for walking to school.

He said: "I'm very pleased to learn that improvement works have started on the path alongside St Mary's Primary School.

"I became aware of this issue in February and put forward the scheme on behalf of residents.

"Currently it is very dingy, muddy and isn't a very appealing path to walk on.

"Hopefully kids coming from the Swarthmoor area will be more encouraged to use the path on their daily walk to school.

"This project is the first part of incremental gain to boost walking to school initiatives.

"We want people – where possible – to use less transport, get more fit and subsequently decrease obesity figures."