Dalesmoor Homes pleaded guilty at Reedley Magistrates' Court to two offences of obstructing a public right of way.

The path, part of the Pendle Way, runs from Keighley Road between High Laithe Beck and the former Colne Anodising works in Laneshaw Bridge.

Early in 2007, Dalesmoor Homes put up a fence in connection with the adjoining housing development, reducing the width of the path from 1.8m wide to just under 1m.

In a separate incident last June, the company blocked the path to pedestrians while it carried out work on the path, which had not been authorised by Pendle Council.

The company was ordered to pay £300 and the council's prosecution costs of £740.40.

Coun. Frank Wren said: "The council takes seriously its duty to ensure people can enjoy the network of public rights of way in Pendle. We take a robust approach against individuals or companies who break the law in this way."

Tom Partridge, the council's Countryside Access Officer, said: "Anyone who discovers a public right of way has been obstructed should report it to the council on 661059 so we can take appropriate action. Please also tell us if a path surface has been disturbed by development works so that using the path is inconvenient."