A NEW exhibition about the Washburn Valley's ancient water crossings will launch next month.

Crossing the Washburn Waters: From Hipping Stones to Bridges will run at Washburn Heritage Centre, Fewston from September to December.

Local residents Tom Cox and Clive Robinson came up with the idea after coming across one of the crossings by chance while planning a guided walk in the Thornthwaite area.

Approaching a small stream, they noticed some party overgrown stone slabs which turned out to be an old clapper bridge.

A look underneath revealed a carefully built channel (shown in the above photograph) which has been carrying water through for centuries.

That discovery led to a talk about the many different kinds of bridges that can be found in the valley, ranging from simple constructions to help walkers to the A59's crossing of the River Washburn at Blubberhouses.

Opening on Saturday, September 2 the exhibition will also display information and photographs of some of the area's fords and stepping stones - and of crossings which have disappeared beneath the waters of the reservoirs or in floods.

To find out more about the event and associated activities - including guided walks - that are being arranged to tie in with it, send an e-mail to centre@washburnvalley.org or call (01943) 880794.