Irvine walkers can set off on guided walks this week as part of the Ayrshire Walking Festival.

Locals can participate in several walks in and around the town before the festival’s end on Sunday September 11.

This Wednesday, September 7, The Trinity Active Travel Hub will be leading a walk suitable for all abilities around Eglinton Park, and on Thursday, September 8 they’ll lead a Nordic walking session, beginning at the hub’s HQ in Bridgegate and introducing participants to the ‘enhanced walking technique’ which also acts as a workout for your whole body.

And this Saturday, September 10 North Ayrshire’s council rangers will guide a walk along the beach taking off from the Coastwatch station car park.

Kate Cuthbert from the Trinity Active Travel Hub said: “This is a first for Ayrshire! There are lots of amazing walks spread across Ayrshire which gave us the idea of bringing these together in the form of a walking festival.

“The walks will be delivered by a number of local groups and the hope is that this can become a regular in our calendar along with our annual Ayrshire Women’s Cycle Festival. People have lots of reasons to go walking – wanting to keep fit, wanting to explore local areas and wanting to find out more and enjoy nature.

“Walking is good for your physical health and mental health. You can meet new people as well as becoming healthier.”

For more info and a full programme, visitthetrinity.org.uk/ayrshires-first-walking-festival.