KEEN walkers are being urged to join a campaign to secure the future of the county's best-loved footpaths.

The new year saw the beginning of a countdown to claim public footpaths for an official map - and if they are not registered within the 20-year government time limit, then they will be lost forever.

Worcestershire's representative for the Open Spaces Society, which is heading the campaign, Edgar Powell, said 20 years may sound a long time, but there were hundreds of paths that needed to be identified and added to the Definitive Map of Public Rights of Way.

"It is hard to know just how many footpaths in Worcester-shire could be lost if they are not claimed on the map but there are definitely a notable number.

"They could be unused at the moment, but most of them are probably used by scores of people every day, and almost taken for granted," Mr Powell said.

The law says that on January 1, 2026, the official map will be closed to claims for footpaths and bridleways that existed before 1949 but have not been recorded.

Any unclaimed paths could be built on or destroyed after this date if they have not been saved.

"We are urging people to check whether footpaths near them are registered and if not, apply for them to be. This is the only way these important rights of way can be secured for future generations," Mr Powell added. Information sheets on how to find out if footpaths are already registered, and how to claim them if they are not are available, from Worcestershire County Council by calling 01905 763763 or by calling the Open Spaces Society on 01491 573535.