VALE residents keen to kick-start a healthier lifestyle are being encouraged to take advantage of the stunning Worcestershire countryside.

The Ramblers' Association's Welcome to Walking Week is this Saturday to September 26. Members are keen to show the benefits regular walking can bring and almost 400 free walks have been organised as part of the week-long campaign.

Diana Harwood, chairman of the Ramblers' Association Vale of Evesham group, said: "One of the main ideas behind the week is to get people to come walking from a health point of view. Any exercise is good exercise and people will be amazed to discover what kinds of walks are available locally.

"I bet there are stacks of people who have lived in the Vale for a long time but have never really discovered many of these routes. I have always enjoyed walking from when I was a child, and as a family it is something we have always encouraged."

The group holds regular walks on a fortnightly basis and generally on a Sunday morning. The routes vary in length and ability, so people of all ages can take part. Evesham is also one of the few groups who allow dogs on their walks.

Mrs Harwood added: "As well as the health benefits, there is the social side of walking too.

The walk itself is a chance to chat and we definitely do not walk too fast. A lot of people think ramblers just stride out into the Great Blue Yonder, but we always have a back marker. They make sure everyone is together and send the message if people are going to fast."

As part of the Welcome to Walking Week the group are planning a special walk for this Sunday. The easy route around the picturesque villages at the foot of Bredon Hill will begin at Bredon sports ground car park at 2pm.

Members of the Ramblers' Association are also hoping the campaign week will encourage more young people and family groups to take up walking. Over the past few years the organisation has set up groups specifically for younger walkers.

Mariusz Wilczynski, the Ramblers' Association membership development officer, said: "Over the last few years we have set up a network of 20s and 30s groups and we have over 40 of them now, with at least one operating in each county throughout the country. As well as organising walks they hold social activities including trips to the cinema, meals out and weekends breaks.

"We also want to encourage family groups to go walking - 40 per cent of our routes are family-friendly. This year we have produced activity sheets for children taking part in the walks - it is just a little incentive to make the experience more fun."