A group of keen walkers in Burley-in-Wharfedale has taken the first step towards gaining the village nationally-recognised status as a great place to walk.

The recently-formed Walkers are Welcome in Burley group is celebrating receiving a £150 grant from Burley Parish Council – and hope this will get its bid for Walkers are Welcome village on the road.

The national accreditation scheme encourages communities to develop more opportunities for walking locally.

Walkers are Welcome status helps strengthens a town’s reputation as a place for people to visit, and enjoy the outdoors – and can benefit the local economy.

Neighbouring Ilkley is among the communities which already have Walkers are Welcome status.

David Asher, of the Burley group, said: “We are grateful for the superb support from village businesses and organisations during August and September. They collected nearly 500 signatures from local people on our behalf in support of the application, which was about double what we needed.”

“We now have approval to proceed from the parish council which is great, and their generous grant means we can now submit our application. With the parish council funding, we can now begin to look at producing a first booklet to promote local walks in and around the village.”

Communities which seek Walkers are Welcome status must ensure footpaths and facilities for walkers are well-maintained, encourage walking via public transport, demonstrate local support, and market the accreditation scheme.

Burley Parish Council is also confident in the group.

Parish council chairman, Councillor John Grimshaw, said: “The parish council is very pleased to help establish Walkers are Welcome in Burley through the awarding of a grant to help promote the group within Wharfedale.

“The first booklet of local walks will be available soon and the parish council expect Walkers are Welcome in Burley to go from strength to strength.”

Mr Asher said the group would like to hear any suggestions of walks to include in the booklet – and is keen to hear from anyone who would like to get involved.

Contact him by e-mail at dasher1949@aol.com for more details.