The rambling group finding new ways to share the joys of walking

A local young ramblers group has found a way to celebrate National Walking Month despite the coronavirus outbreak.

The Stag Walkers cover Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire and would normally be organising group walks for the event, which runs from 23-31 May.

But with social distancing rules in place the group is organising an alternative walking festival encouraging people to explore their local countryside on foot and share their routes and photos on social media, tagging the group @stagwalkers or using the hashtag #stagwalkers.

Lots of people have recently been dusting-off their trainers and starting to explore their local area but not everyone knows where they can walk.

For those new to countryside walking, Rebecca has some advice, she said: "It's important that we keep to the public rights of way when going out for a walk (footpaths, bridleways and byways).

"Look out for the coloured arrows on posts that show you the way to go. There are lots of lambs and young cattle around so please keep dogs on leads, and don't stray off the paths and onto crops or private land."

National Walking Month was set up by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, to help us keep our daily exercise fresh, interesting and safe.

Anybody who would like to participate in Stag Walkers' Alternative Walking Festival should follow government advice and walk alone, with members of your household or only one other person you don't live with as long as you keep two metres apart.

Please stay local and comply with social distancing measures.

For further information please visit: www.stagwalkers.org.uk where you can find some local walking routes to try out during the festival.