A helicopter flew the �5,000 wooden walkway to the top of the Ennerdale valley between Buttermere and Wasdale.

It was built in memory of 92-year-old Jack Farraday of Lime Grove, Bury, who left �5,000 to the Friends of the Lake District scheme three years ago.

The old bridge, on the former pack horse route, had fallen victim to wear and tear because of hikers.

'Beautiful place

The new structure, made of local Douglas Fir, was built and lifted into place thanks to a joint mission by the Forestry Commission, the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) and Friends of the Lake District.

LDNPA's field manager David Bulman said: "This area is very inaccessible and it would have been difficult to get the wood and building materials in.

"The Forestry Commission already had a helicopter in the area flying fencing materials as part of the Wild Ennerdale partnership scheme for new native tree planting scheme and they kindly offered to transport the bridge at the same time.

"Mr Farraday was a very keen walker and it was felt replacing a footbridge in such a beautiful place would be an excellent memorial to him."