After nearly 30 years spent campaigning for it, residents of Low and High Newton joined the crowds at the opening of the new A590 Bypass today.

The 2.3mile road, which has cost the Highways Agency more than £35 million and was opened today by its boss, Archie Robertson, will divert thousands of cars and wagons out of the two communities and is set to transform village life as they know it.

Click on the link above to watch a video of the opening, which was attended by protestors fighting the closure of nearby Greenodd Post Office.

See Friday's Westmorland Gazette for the full story.