A NEW boardwalk is to be built across a stretch of the South West Coast Path near Porlock to help walkers avoid becoming bogged down.

The boardwalk will cross the western end of the 3.4 miles of Porlock Marshes, which has suffered from repeated flooding in the past five years.

The news comes as Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) is expecting an influx of people wanting to walk sections of the coast path following the release in cinemas of the film ‘The Salt Path’.

The movie tells the true story of a couple who embark on the full 630-mile trek from Minehead to Poole after they lose their home and livelihood when the husband is diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Filming took place at several locations on Exmoor and cinemagoers are expected to want to see the area for themselves.

The Porlock Marshes boardwalk is being funded with a donation from The Best of Exmoor website, which helps visitors to find places to stay and things to do.

The Best of Exmoor contribution to ENPA’s charity CareMoor for Exmoor has been match-funded by the South West Coast Path Association, a charity which promotes interests of users of the path, which in turn is part of the King Charles III England Coast Path.

An ENPA spokesperson said: “The new boardwalk will improve access for walkers on both long distance and short circular walks between Porlock Weir and Porlock.

“The boardwalk will be made from hardwood harvested from conservation management of our own woodland, milled locally at our depot in Exford.

“The boardwalk will mimic the surrounding landscape with a soft curve and improve access for years to come.

“It will be of huge benefit to locals and visitors alike.”

The Porlock coastal salt marshes are a site of special scientific interest and recognised as nationally important.