Archive marks Kinder Mass Trespass anniversary

The group hopes to open a permanent visitor centre for the archive in Hayfield

An archive will be created to mark the 80th anniversary of a famous mass trespass which increased public rights to access the countryside.

In 1932 hundreds of ramblers protested in the Peak District in what became known as the Kinder Mass Trespass.

Now the Kinder Visitor Centre Group has been awarded £18,000 to create an archive of material.

The project will bring together copies of articles, official records and photographs.

The group's chairman John Harvey said the grant coincided with the anniversary of the protest on 24 April.

'Direct action'

He said the group was using the money to collect material for the archive and hoped to secure further funding to set up a permanent visitor centre in the village of Hayfield, where the protesters began their walk up Kinder Scout.

Mr Harvey added: "This is a heritage topic of national and regional importance which merits being developed into a significant visitor attraction."

The money was awarded by the Peak District National Park's sustainable development fund.

At the 75th anniversary celebrations veteran politician Roy Hattersley described the trespass as "the most successful direct action in British history".