PEOPLE are being encouraged to put their walking boots on to explore the borough as part of Swindon’s first Festival Of Walking.

The festival runs from Saturday until May 22 and is being organised by Swindon Council and NHS Swindon in association with Challenge Swindon.

The Festival Of Walking aims to show that the borough has a number of safe and pleasant walking routes away from traffic and within easy reach of hidden green spaces.

It has been proved walking reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, lowers blood pressure and reduces high cholesterol and body fat.

Walk To Work Week from May 9-13, and Walk To School Week from May 16-20, will be incorporated in the festival, which kicks off with a circular guided walk from Broadgreen to Coate Water on Saturday, May 7.

The launch walk will leave Broadgreen Community Centre at 10am and will be led by trainedwalk leaders.

Health ambassadors will also be on hand to chat to people and to answer health-related questions.

The walk will head south through Walcot, Park South and Eldene en route to Coate before returning to Broadgreen and will take about two hours.

A shorter version will also be available which will take between 45 minutes and an hour.

A park ranger will lead the walk through all the green spaces along the way including, Shaftesbury Lake, the Lawns and Coate Water and will point out interesting wildlife and show how Swindon has changed over the years using a selection of old black and white photographs.

There will be 19 walks during the festival ranging from strolls in Shaw on Monday, May 9, and Eldene on Friday, May 13, to a lunch hour walk to Lydiard on Thursday, May 12.

Roger Byrne, Swindon Council’s head of leisure, said: “The Swindon Festival Of Walking is a fantastic way to explore the borough and there are a range of walks to suit everyone’s needs.

“It is also a great way to make new friends and to keep fit.”

Organisers hope that anyone who takes part in the Swindon Festival Of Walking will continue to take to the borough’s footpaths and walkways after the event and walkers can plan new routes courtesy of Walkit.com. Anyone who wishes to find out more about the Festival Of Walking can log on to www.

challengeswindon.org.uk to access a link to the festival programme.