More than 40 new gates have been installed on public footpaths across the Midsomer Norton and Radstock area.

The work follows a £14,000 grant secured by a project group including the Open Spaces Society and the Midsomer Norton Society.

The money came from the Defra Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund, which seeks to mitigate the effects of quarrying.

Both Stuart Ballard, council public rights of way officer, and John Ives, of the Open Spaces Society, received personal achievement awards for the project at the Midsomer Norton Awards ceremony.

The funding has enabled Bath and North East Somerset Council, which also contributed financially to the project, to work with Norton Radstock Town Council to install the gates, most of which replace old stiles. An old stone bridge near Withies Lane, Midsomer Norton, has also been improved.

The Midsomer Norton Society carried out an extensive audit of the stiles which needed to be replaced.

About 900km of public rights of way are maintained by B&NES, including footpaths, bridleways and byways.

Cllr Charles Gerrish (Con, Keynsham North), cabinet member for customer services, said that the network of footpaths was an important part of the council's commitment to reducing reliance on cars and promoting health through exercise.

"Working in partnership, we have been able to improve many footpaths which were well used by communities in the Midsomer Norton and Radstock area," he added.