BRIDPORT: The town has given official recognition for the quality of its healthy walking scheme.

Bridport Health Walks have been running for more than 12 years and has been national accreditation, which endorses the quality of experience and support that walkers can expect when taking part in the scheme's twice weekly walks.

Walking for Health, run by the Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support, is a nationwide movement dedicated to improving the health through walking.

The robust new requirements are designed to give new walkers added confidence that Bridport Health Walks can support them to get active and stay active.

Each walk is led by a fully trained walk leader, usually two.

Tony Hawthorne, 76, has been involved with the walks since they started in 2002 and is still helping himself and others keep active.

He said: "I am pleased to get the accreditation.

"We meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and we meet outside the Citizens Advice Bureau at 10.30am.

"We get about 10 or 12 but it depends on the weather."

Mr Hawthorne, whose daughter Sarah is the sports development officer for West Dorset District Council and scheme co-ordinator for Bridport Health Walks, said given his daughter’s job he had very little choice but to get involved.

He said: "When I retired from Sidney Gale I think she thought I'd go to seed and I have been leading them ever since."

He said walkers are usually aged from their 50s to their 80s and the walks last half an hour and take place around the town.

He added: "The New Zealand site has been a godsend to us because it gets us completely away from the traffic."

His daughter Sarah Davies said: "We're delighted our short walks have been accredited by Walking for Health. Our volunteer walk leaders' help all sorts of people to enjoy the many health benefits that regular walking brings, providing support every step of the way.

"Our walkers have a great deal of fun, making new friends and getting to know their local area. Many of us know we should be more active, so why not join in and let us welcome you along to our next walk."

Bridport Health Walks run walks that are around 30 minutes in length, with at least one walk of less than 30 minutes every month.

There are about 12 volunteers who help lead the walks and the group usually go for a cup of tea afterwards. Leaders walk each route for a health and safety check.

Walking counts towards the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity people should be doing each week.

Only 61 per cent of adults in England are currently meeting this recommendation.

Anyone who wants to join can find details on the walkingforhealth.org.uk/walk website.