A SERIES of free health walks will be held in Chard and Ilminster as part of a new initiative by South Somerset District Council.

Following a free training event organised by South Somerset District Council, newly trained volunteers will be able to lead walks across the district.

The idea behind the scheme is to encourage a more active and healthy lifestyle, in a relaxed and sociable atmosphere.

Catherine Devonshire, healthy lifestyles officer at the district council, said: “An extensive new review by the Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support concludes that.

“Walking works. It makes people happy, keeps everyone healthy and can even save your life.”

“Health Walks are very popular locally with our Walking for Health accredited scheme going from strength to strength in recent years.

“The scheme – which is run by South Somerset District Council – now offers 16 regular walking opportunities in the district and has more than 50 active volunteers.’’ At the start of the walks, the health leader will lead the walk in a gentle pace, before going on a walk that takes in the local scenery, lasting about 90 minutes.

Cllr Sylvia Seal, portfolio holder for leisure and culture at South Somerset District Council, said: “This recent review into walking underlines the importance of our support to Health Walks in South Somerset. Our walks create more opportunities for people to exercise in their local community and provide a low cost, easily accessible activity.

“The walks in South Somerset are sustainable and enable people to explore their local countryside whilst becoming more active and sociable in a safe environment. I must thank this new batch of volunteers for supporting our scheme.’’ In Ilminster, the walks are held every fourth Tuesday of the month at 9.30am, meeting at the Tesco entrance.

The walk last between one hour and 90 minutes, and includes a mixture of road walking and country lane walking.

In Broadway, the walks take place every Tuesday barring the fourth one of the month. Walkers meet at the same time, 9.30am, at the Standerwick Orchard Village Green and the walks last for between one hour and 90 minutes.

In Chard, the group meets every Wednesday at 10am at the Boden Centre.

Walks again last around 90 minutes.

For more information on the Chard walks call David Coath on 01460 65523 and for more information on the Ilminster and Broadway walks, call Elaine Labrom on 01460 55849.

For more information on the walks in general, visit southsomerset.gov.uk/healthwalks