A HERITAGE walk around 46 miles of the Ribble Valley has been unveiled.

The Journey Through the Centre of the Kingdom is an arts trail taking walkers to six Ribble Valley villages.

The route is walked in sections, with suggested overnight stops, calling on art workshops in Bashall Eaves, Bolton-by-Bowland, Chipping, Dunsop Bridge, Sawley and Slaidburn.

Dunsop Bridge was named as the centre of the UK by map makers Ordnance Survey in 1995.

Art-lovers can come across willow work, ceramics, papermaking, mosaic, glass and textiles.

The trail has been funded by Ribble Valley Council, the Rural Development Commission and the European Development Fund.

Ribble Valley Council tourism and arts officer Jane Silvester said: "The arts workshops will provide an opportunity for small rural communities to establish new craft activities, while the walk adds another dimension to tourism in the Ribble Valley."

Residents can try out a section of the route during a Heritage Fund Day at Clitheroe Castle today.

Walks leave Castlegate, Clitheroe, at 1pm and 3pm, and there is no need to book. Further details are available from the Clitheroe Tourist Information Centre on 01200 425566.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.