WALKERS from Bowdon and Altrincham strode out for a two-hour evening stroll to support 'Use Your Paths' week.

The 34-strong group strode out on public footpaths, along leafy lanes, over a golf course and through beauty spots. They stopped at Denzell House to hear about the history of the building and restoration work in the gardens and nearby Devisdale, from Kathleen Edwards, who is one of the 'Friends of Denzell Gardens', as well as head of PE at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls.

Kathleen showed the walkers the impressive lizard that has been cut in the bark of a redundant branch of a tree in the Devisdale and the orchid strewn meadow grass that is developing as part of restoration work.

Then it was on to rights of way near Dunham village where the walk leader, June Mabon, who heads up the Ramblers' Association's team of footpath inspectors in Trafford, pointed out examples of good practice in footpath maintenance whenever the walkers passed clear signs, well trimmed hedgerows and stiles in good repair.

At the end of the walk, June said: "In recent months we have been very pleased to see a significant improvement in the quality and quantity of footpath signing, with finger posts and 'man walking' signs. These indicate exactly where there is a public path and they are equally helpful to both walkers and landowners to avoid misunderstandings about where people can walk."

To learn more about the work of the Ramblers' Association footpath inspection work, contact June on 0161 928 3437 or email june.hilltop@zetnet.co.uk