THE annual Round the Hills Walk has been cancelled this year because of the foot and mouth situation.
The annual event, which regularly attracts between 500 and 600 walkers from all over the country, and some from abroad, was due to be held on the first Sunday in September.
The event has been organised for more than 40 years by the Rawtenstall Federation of Sports and Recreation Activities.
It starts and finishes at the Marl Pits sports complex in Newchurch Road, Rawtenstall and involves an eighteen and a half mile route around the hills above the Rossendale Valley.
President Walter Whittaker commented: "We have called it off in fairness to the agricultural community and farmers in view of the foot and mouth situation which still affects areas not too far away.
"We didn't want any risk of someone from the 500 to 600 walkers carrying in to this area.
"The farming community has been very tolerant to us over the many years of the walk and so we are doing this in fairness to them."
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