If you walk in the opposite direction from this shot for about 100 yards you will see on the canal side moulded in the concrete a beast's paw print. This is known locally as 'The Beast Of Lydiate' and I think there might be an actual sign there now, though I'm not too sure.

It's not known whether it was actually a large cat (not necessarily a big cat) that made the original impression or the workers who mixed the concrete just having a cheeky laugh at our expense :-)

If you need a photo of it then just contact me and I will cycle down and take one for you.