AN East Lancashire Mayor and fell-walking enthusiast is to trek round his rural borough's picturesque landmarks to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and raise cash for charity.

Ribble Valley's 'First Citizen' Stuart Hirst has created his own seven-stage 65-mile circular walk.

He hopes his hiking efforts will help him reach his £5,000 target for his mayoral charities.

Cllr Hirst, 65, will launch his special 'Ribble Valley Jubilee Trail' by spending a week walking it himself starting on Thursday, September 1.

His chosen charities are the MS Society, the Pink Ribbon Foundation and Project Linus.

Cllr Hirst's wife Elaine, mother of their children Rob and Annie, lives with MS.

He hopes that the trail will become an attraction to bring visitors to the Forest of Bowland, the Ribble Valley and East Lancashire.

Cllr Hirst and his walk has already notched up sponsorship from local outdoor shop Whalley Warm and Dry.

The circular trail starts in Whalley and takes in Pendle Hill, Downham, Bolton-by-Bowland, Slaidburn, Chipping, Hurst Green and Mellor, before finishing back  in Whalley.

It takes six or seven days to complete and features a range of terrains requiring a degree of fitness and competence.

Cllr Hirst, who has represented Wilpshire and Ramsgreave Ward since 2003, said: “Ribble Valley is one of the most scenic boroughs in the country, much of it designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and a veritable walker’s paradise with rolling hills, picturesque villages, stunning landscapes and some of the best food and drink for many a mile.

“Ribble Valley has a close association with Her Majesty the Queen and this trail takes in some of her Duchy of Lancaster land, particularly the centre of the kingdom at Dunsop Bridge.

“I hope the Ribble Valley Jubilee Trail will become a popular attraction for keen hikers and ramblers across the country, and to get the ball rolling I will be walking it to raise funds for my chosen charities.

"As a keen walker myself, the idea formed to devise a route which would also be a permanent part of the borough’s tourism offer to attract visitors to spend some time exploring our beautiful – but often little known – part of Lancashire.

"I have planned, reconnoitred and waymarked the route myself."

Donations to Cllr Hirst's charities can be made by cheque or bank transfer to the council's Mayoral account or by a Just Giving page.