EXPERIENCED ramblers and newcomers will this weekend unite for the Pendle Walking Festival.

The event will be launched on Saturday by the borough’s mayor, Coun Shelagh Derwent, at Barley Cabin.

The week-long festival will include more than 70 guided walks which organisers say will cater for all abilities, including children.

And a new event, called Geocaching, has also been introduced for the first time this year.

Described as a “type of scavenger hunt”, it sees volunteers search for containers using the exact map co-ordinates and GPS technology.

Coun Allan Buck, cabinet member with responsibility for tour-ism, said: “I urge everyone to get involved in this year's walking festival.

“It is always extremely popular and I am sure that this year will be no different.”

For more information about the festival, visit www.pendle.gov.uk/walking or call 01282 661963.