A battle over the right to walk in a beauty spot on the edge of Keighley is to be waged at a public inquiry.

And among the ranks of the campaigners fighting for Sunnydale Glen to become a right of way is former Chancellor of the Exchequer Lord Healey of Riddlesden.

The 86-year-old Labour party statesman, who lived in Riddlesden as a lad, has revealed he used the path between 1926 and 1945.

But the owner, Lewis Robertshaw, of Upwood Hall Farm Cottage, West Morton, said the area was a working woodland.

He said partridge shoots were held there and he was concerned birds were being disturbed.

Leading the campaign is 71-year-old Roy Willoughby, of Otley Mount, East Morton who is supported by his daughter, Anne Manning, 39, of Keighley.

Almost 60 villagers say they have walked in the wood in the past 20 years.

Mr Willoughby said he had used the path through the area for 50 years.

He said: "At least the public inquiry will present all the facts and hopefully it will be designated a right of way."

In recent years, signs had been pinned to trees saying "No Permissive Footpath Exists", he claimed.

Lord Healey, who has presented written evidence in support of the application, said the area had been under threat in the 1920s, when there were plans for a paper mill.

He said it would be sad if it was no longer accessible to the public.

The original application to have the path designated a public right of way was made in 1995.

A Bradford Council spokesman said today officers had taken steps to formally register the footpath as a right of way, following an application by local people.

"One objection has been received from someone who manages part of the land.

"Because of this, a public inquiry has to be held, which means a decision rests with the Planning Inspectorate, rather than the Council."

The public inquiry under the Wildlife and Countryside Act is to be held in Keighley town hall on Tuesday and Wednesday December 9 and 10.