DOZENS of walkers who turned out for a controversial Christmas stroll across the Arnside Viaduct were stopped in their tracks by police.

Network Rail staff and two British Transport police officers saw 40 people turn up for the walk, which traditionally takes place on Christmas Day but which is an illegal route across the 481-metre railway bridge.

However, BTP Inspector Derek McCutcheon said they were put off by the sight of uniformed officers.

“This is a dangerous route and I’m glad that common sense prevailed,” he told The Westmorland Gazette.