A group of intrepid walkers has been making strides to map out a millennium trail around Castle Point.

The walking club of the Bodycare Health and Fitness Club, based in High Road, Benfleet, has planned out a 28 mile route around the borough taking in Benfleet, Thundersley, Hadleigh and Canvey.

Members of the group will be walking the route on Sunday and they are asking other people to join them on their trek.

The club walks on the third Sunday of every month and this will be its first of this millennium.

Its first walk was in November 1993, so this Sunday's outing is the club's fiftieth walk.

Roger Hare, who owns Bodycare with his wife Jude, explained he came up with the idea for the trail when he realised the club's fiftieth walk would coincide with the first one of the new millennium.

The club talked to Castle Point Council which agreed an officially recognised trail would be an asset to the borough.

With help and guidance from the council's technical department, Benfleet resident and club member Dave Cowan came up with a provisional route.

Roger said: "Eventually it is planned to signpost the route and to publish a map and guide.

"Contributions at a proposed £1 for each mile walked are being made by club members to go towards the costs of signposting and the publication of maps and guides."

If you would like to go on the walk on Sunday join the club members at their meeting point in the School Lane car park in Benfleet at 7.45am.

The walk will finish at 4.30pm at the Anchor in Essex Way, Benfleet.

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