A SELF-funded community group in New Cumnock has been working hard to restore the area's footpaths.

New Cumnock Walkways was set up in May, with the aim of repairing and maintaining walking routes in and around New Cumnock.

A group of volunteers from the group have been tackling a small section of the Miners Walk, alongside the River Afton, as their first project.

The community initiative has been posting regular updates on social media to keep the wider public in touch with their progress.

The path on the Miners Walk before the volunteers used their skills to restore itThe path on the Miners Walk before the volunteers used their skills to restore it (Image: New Cumnock Walkways)

When the group's Facebook page was launched, a spokesperson said: "We’re a new group whose main aim is to repair and maintain walking paths in and around New Cumnock.

"We are self funded at the moment and wanted to see if there is any interest in what we are trying to achieve.

"We would appreciate any help from the public even if it’s just liking the post."

In their first few weeks, the volunteers have installed sleepers, laid chicken wire on the path to prevent slips, and added a handrail.

Their first restoration project has only been made possible thanks to people who have kindly donated supplies and items to be used for the renewed path.

The community group shared their latest photo of the path with the handrails installed The community group shared their latest photo of the path with the handrails installed (Image: New Cumnock Walkways)

The team are now just waiting on installing the steps to complete their first project.

To find out more and follow their upcoming projects visit New Cumnock Walkways Facebook page.

The Miners Walk, created by the East Ayrshire Coalfield Environment Initiative, covers a distance of 3.2 miles and takes walkers through the Knockshinnoch Lagoons reserve and along the banks of the Connel Burn, close to where cottages known as the 'miners' rows' were located in the early 1900s.

It also passes by the Knockshinnoch Disaster Memorial, which commemorates the 13 miners who lost their lives when a glaciated lake filled with peat and moss flooded pit workings in September 1950, trapping more than 100 miners underground.

Find out more about the walk at newcumnockcommunity.co.uk.