This summer residents in Ongar, North Weald and Abridge are being urged to get their boots on and do the walk of life.

On Thursday, May 1 Epping Forest District Council will celebrate the second birthday of its popular and successful walking for health scheme, Lifewalks.

And to mark the occasion the project is being expanded with new routes being added including ones in North Weald including Ashlyn's Organic Farm and the former radio station at North Weald.

The summer programme offers four led walks, each between one and three miles long, every week starting on May 1.

Other routes can be found in Waltham Abbey, Upshire, Epping, High Beach, Loughton, Buckhurst Hill and Chigwell.

Scheme co-ordinator, Jenny Filby, said: "People are usually amazed at how much fitter they become for what seems like very little effort.

"Within just a couple of months, almost everyone finds they can walk much more quickly and walk up stairs and hills more easily."

Jenny also said more than half the people who take part have said that after becoming involved in Lifewalks they have not needed to visit their doctor as much. Other benefits which regular walkers have been reported include being able to sleep easier and having more energy in general.

Lifewalks was launched in April 2001 in Waltham Abbey and now more than 100 people from across Epping Forest District take part every week.

For a free information book on Lifewalks and the summer diary of walks call Jenny Filby at Epping Forest District Council on 01992 564222.

Published Wednesday, April 23, 2003

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