LEOMINSTER will be celebrating its national accreditation as a ‘Walkers Are Welcome’ town with a spring launch event next weekend.

The launch event, on Saturday April 12, will feature street theatre, morris dancers and free guided walks – including a special ‘I Spy’ walk for children.

Walks are taking place over four days – between April 10 and 13 – with author and top walking and tourism ‘guru’ Les Lumsdon speaking at the main launch event in Corn Square on April 12 at noon.

Town centre cafes displaying the Walkers Are Welcome logo will be offering free tea, coffee or squash when food is purchased between 11am and 5pm.

Jenny Williams, chairman of the Leominster Walkers Are Welcome initiative, said: “We are working in partnership with Leominster Tourist Information Centre with the aim of promoting the town as a great destination for parties of walkers wanting to explore the local countryside.

“Walkers mean more visitors and more business as the towns listed on the Walkers Are Welcome national website are discovering. Among the market towns, Leominster is well-placed to attract more walkers as they have the option to arrive by train.”

The free launch walks include an eight-mile moderate walk with Leominster Rambling Club, an easy four-mile walk between Luston and Orleton, a five-mile walk out of Leominster by the River Lugg and a more energetic nine-mile circular trek from town via Bache Camp hill fort.

The ‘I Spy’ children’s walk around Leominster will take place on April 12, starting at 10.30am from the TIC. Leominster outdoors shop Survive & Thrive will be awarding a prize to the winner.

For more information about the walks and to book free places on them please contact Leominster Tourist Information Centre on 01568 616460.