People in the Dereham area are being encouraged to get active and explore their surroundings more with the help of a new booklet of walks.Eleven walks in and around Dereham are featured in the free booklet.

People in the Dereham area are being encouraged to get active and explore their surroundings more with the help of a new booklet of walks.

Eleven walks in and around Dereham are featured in the free booklet. Along the way people can discover the history of the Mid Norfolk Railway, experience the beauty of the Wensum Valley or find out more about the traditional mid-Norfolk farming landscape.

The booklet is the fourth in the Norfolk County Council series called Health, Heritage and Biodiversity Walks.

Aylsham, Thetford and Cromer and Sheringham were the first three booklets, and there are plans for a number of other booklets in areas including Diss, Downham Market and King's Lynn.

Kirsty Webber-Walton, who led the project, said the booklets were for people of all ages and they were especially aimed at people who do not usually go for walks.

The walks vary in length from one to four miles. Each walk is explained with a colourful map, and as well as giving directions the booklet also includes facts about local heritage and wildlife.

“We want to encourage people to be more active and to go out and enjoy their surroundings by going for walks regularly,” said Miss Webber-Walton. The walks not only take in some of the outstanding countryside around Dereham, they also provide glimpses into the town's past.”

Town mayor Ann Bowyer said: “I am really impressed with the booklet. It is a great idea. A lot of people are not really aware of what is on their doorstep and this is a great way to highlight what is good about the Dereham area.

“I'm looking forward to doing the Yaxham and Gressenhall walks.”

Five thousand copies of the Dereham walks booklet are available free of charge. To pick up a copy visit Dereham library. There are also plans for the booklets to be given to local primary schools.