The first ever North Somerset Walk Fest is now well underway.

Kicked off on Wednesday, May 1, the event encourages people of North Somerset to 'walk this May' and enjoy the benefits of walking.

The fest is part of the National Walking Month and is organised by the Better Health team of the North Somerset Council, in collaboration with Age UK Somerset.

The goal is to motivate more community members to experience the advantages of walking, like improved fitness, social connections and fun.

The North Somerset Walk Fest, with its various free activities and contests, celebrates the joy of walking.

The programme details are accessible at North Somerset libraries or from Outdoors and Active in Weston-super-Mare, and also on the Better Health North Somerset website.

It schedules walks and other events occurring daily through May in North Somerset.

It includes guided walks, walking sports, networking walks and each activity's accessibility for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, visually impaired and buggies.

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Several cafes are also participating in the walk fest, offering local walking route maps at their establishments.

Some cafes are extending special discounts or offers to walking fest participants.

One can also register for the 'Walk Every Day in May' challenge from the Better Health website.

The council’s Better Health team also supports individuals interested in starting their own walking groups.

Participants are encouraged to take a short survey and seize the opportunity to win a £50 voucher from Outdoors and Active or a Love2shop voucher.

Cllr Jenna Ho Marris, North Somerset Council’s executive member for public health, said: "I’m so excited that North Somerset Walk Fest is finally here!

"Thank you to our Better Health North Somerset team and all of our community partners who have worked so hard to make it happen."

She emphasised that walking, an excellent form of exercise that fosters both physical and mental health, is designed to be accessible to people of all fitness levels in the fest.

More details about the North Somerset Walk Fest can be found at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/nswalkfest or via the Better Health North Somerset team at 01275 882 730.