THE first ever Burnley Walking Festival will take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend, to celebrate the relaunch of the Burnley Way footpaths.

Organised by Burnley Council, seven different walks have been set up from Saturday, May 3, to Monday, May 5.

The event has been organised for people who want to take in the fresh air, some gentle exercise, and discover the wildlife and history of Burnley.

The walks will be open to everyone from serious walkers to people who want to learn something new about the town.

During the walks, people will experience everything from historic townscapes to stunning works of art. Jaqueline Whittaker, Burnley Council's tourism development officer, said: "Why get stuck in traffic over the Bank Holiday weekend heading out of the area when we've got lots to offer here at the heart of Pennine Lancashire?"

The walks range from one to eight miles starting on Saturday with Wayside Arts Trail and Wildlife Wanderings.

There are three walks on Sunday - Walk in the Woods, Ghosts and Legends of Towneley and Clowbridge Circuit - and two on Monday: Padiham, Lowerhouse and Gawthorpe and the Guided Towpath Walk Through Weaver's Triangle.