This year’s Stevenage Walking Festival will take place from May 4 to 12.

Now in its seventh year, the festival will introduce a new Family Trail on May 4 which aims to get children and their parents more excited about walking and nature.

The buggy-friendly trail will be held at Fairlands Valley Park and will enable children to learn and develop their map reading and orienteering skills.

Children can collect a pedometer for taking part.

A Stevenage Borough Council spokesman said: “This is a brilliant event and an excellent way to teach children the basics of orienteering and map reading.”

Other events throughout the week will include short, medium and long walks and a dog-friendly five-mile walk.

For the full schedule, visit swf.nhrg.org.uk.

The festival is free, but any donations will be given to TRACKS Autism - a specialist early years centre in Stevenage.