A HEREFORDSHIRE walking group have been handed a boost after receiving a grant to help promote walking in the area.

Leominster Walkers are Welcome have received a cheque from the town's Rotary club for funds to help the volunteer group promote the area to the wider walking community.

The group encourage walkers to benefit from the open air, the natural environment and to learn something about local history and culture.

It also aims to help upgrade the footpaths of the area where possible and to replace the stiles with gates to make them accessible to those who wouldn't otherwise be able to.

The group has recently relaunched after two years of little activity due to the Covid pandemic.

Abigail Davies from Leominster Walkers are Welcome has recently moved to the area and said why she started volunteering with the group: "Walking is so important for people's physical and mental wellbeing.

"Both of these have taken a massive hit in the last couple of years through isolation and we as a group are looking to promote walking as a great way of meeting new people and to help the less able bodied to keep active.

"Walking has been amazing for me, and being in such a beautiful area as North Herefordshire we should promote a healthy outdoor lifestyle wherever we can."

The group also hopes to put a plan in motion to help protect the Herefordshire Trail's status as a recognised Long Distance Footpath.

The trail runs for 150 miles and winds around the county, connecting the five market towns of Leominster, Kington, Bromyard, Ross-on-Wye and Ledbury.

Coun Felicity Norman said: "It's a fantastic path which shows the county off in all it's glory and has been sadly neglected over the years.

"We are aiming with the help of the brilliant volunteers at Walkers are Welcome to bring the trail to life and bring more walking tourists to this amazing area."

The group are said to be pleased by the response from the public since their relaunch earlier this year.

Ms Davies said: We have had lots of offers of help from the local walking groups such as the Leominster Ramblers and Walking for Health.

"Since setting up our Facebook page we have had a great response and hopefully this will continue to grow.

To learn more about Leominster Walkers are Welcome visit https://www.leominstertourism.com/leominster-walkers-are-welcome/