A REDUNDANT historic footpath sign is going up for auction with a minimum bid of £300 to raise funds for Exmoor’s public rights of way network.

The iconic wooden fingerpost arm was previously located on Minehead seafront at the starting point of the South West Coast Path, pointing walkers toward Poole, in Dorset, which is 629¼ miles away at the other end of the national trail.

Recently replaced by a new fingerpost, the retired sign, which is being sold without its supporting post, is now ready for a new home, with the national park’s CareMoor for Exmoor charity inviting closed bids until midnight on Monday, October 26.

CareMoor for Exmoor lead Clare Weeks said: "Fingerposts are a familiar and much-loved part of the Exmoor landscape, helping walkers, riders, and cyclists find their way across Exmoor.

“Behind each one is a lifecycle rooted in Exmoor.

“Even in retirement, they can have another story to tell.

“One former Exmoor fingerpost is currently on display at London's Natural History Museum after being found to support 12 rare lichens.

“This auction will offer a retired piece of Exmoor’s rights of way heritage a new lease of life.

“The money will go back into the networks it once helped people to explore.”

Exmoor's traditional wooden fingerposts, gates, and stiles are made in the national park’s Exford workshops, using locally and sustainably grown and processed timber.

Rangers, field services staff, and volunteers cover 620 miles of public rights of way to maintain the paths, signs, and other infrastructure.

Ms Weeks said: "There are more than 3,000 wooden fingerposts across Exmoor, exposed year-round to the elements, cattle, and ponies, and inevitably they need to be repaired or replaced."

The successful bidder will receive the historic sign plus an opportunity for up to six people to enjoy a guided walk with an Exmoor Ranger from Minehead to North Hill along the South West Coast Path.

Bids must be submitted through the official online bidding form.

The winning bidder will be contacted by Friday, October 30, and will have 10 working days to confirm acceptance and make payment in full.

For those who would rather help support a fingerpost still out on Exmoor, the charity is offering an opportunity to sponsor a new or replacement fingerpost through its ‘Donate a Fingerpost’ dedication scheme.

For £225, supporters can choose from available fingerposts on Exmoor's rights of way network and have a 50 mm bronze plaque added, with two lines of personalised wording.

Dedications can mark a special occasion, celebrate a connection with Exmoor, or commemorate somebody special.

Money from fingerpost sales helps to pay for the work needed across the national park, including the maintenance of paths, trails, and signage.

A spokesperson said CareMore also had a scheme which allows people to sponsor a gate or stile and add a personalised bronze dedication plaque.

More information about the scheme and other dedication opportunities across Exmoor National Park can be found on the Caremoor for Exmoor web page.