WALKERS who enjoy a stroll should make the most of the good weather by taking advantage of 60 walks at the Herefordshire Walking Festival.

The festival, which takes place from Saturday, June 14 to Sunday, June 22 promises nine days of exploring the county using some of its 2,100 rights of way.

This years' festival has emphasis on Herefordshire food and drink.

More than half of its walks on the 20-page programme of events are based on this theme, and include opportunities to sample local produce, visit the farmers' markets, tour farms and enjoy a meal along the way.

Highlight

"Another highlight are the walks arranged for Midsummer's Day, on Saturday, June 21," said a spokeswoman for the festival.

"Both are timed to start at 3am in the morning, with one in the west climbing to greet the dawn at Hatterall Cairn, and one in the east - still more fittingly ending with a view of sunrise from the top of Midsummer Hill."

Walkers will also be able to walk the Mortimer Trail over three days with a minibus collection and return service each day from Leominster and Aymestrey.

Copies of the festival programme are available from all Herefordshire tourist information centres and all walks must be booked either on-line on the festival web site or by calling the festival booking office on 01568 797842.