LYME REGIS: People are being encouraged to lace up their boots and join this year’s Lyme Regis Walking Festival beginning on November 1.

The family friendly event will run until November 9 and is aimed at encouraging families and individuals to get out into the fresh air to enjoy the coastline.

Festival organisers, in conjunction with the Lyme Regis Business Group, are promising beautiful walks and organised activities in and around the town.

Business group chairman Tony Colston said: “Lyme Regis is glorious and full of visitors during the summer months, but we want to share its dramatic beauty during the autumn and winter months as well. This will also help to extend the season for our local businesses and encourage more people to come to the town when it isn’t as busy.”

Several of Lyme’s hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfast places are offering special rates to visitors during the festival.

Lyme’s guided walk experts will be covering fossil, history and literary walks.

There will also be a special programme of other walks during the festival.

Local bookshop Serendip is also offering independent festival walkers a 15 per cent discount on walking book ‘Walks along the West Jurassic Coast’.

Details of all the organised events and offers will be posted on lymeregis.org and the festival’s facebook page at facebook.com/lymeregiswalkingfestival For details call Tony Colston on 07770 275641.