THE first North Pennines Walking Festival is to be held this year to help the area to mark 25-years as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The area was granted ANOB status in 1988 and the walking festival is one of many events to be held to help celebrate the anniversary by the North Pennines ANOB Partnership.

The festival is being led by the Friends of the North Pennines with the support of the ANOB Partnership and other groups.

It will start on September 28, and there will 15 walks taking place on the day.

The date also marks the 75th anniversary of Alfred Wainwright setting off on an 11-day walking tour of the North Pennines.

To help mark this event the 15 walks will follow a route taking by Wainwright on his trek.

Details about the festival can be found at www.northpennineswalkingfestival.org.uk.

The North Pennines ANOB group is also hosting dry stone wall workshops, guided bird watching walks, astronomy nights and guided walks.

Chris Woodley-Stewart, the AONB partnership’s director, said: “The North Pennines is such a stunning part of the British countryside and with these events we hope people will get a chance to see why it has been recognised as having such national importance.

“We want people to get out onto the hills and into the dales of the North Pennines to discover, enjoy and celebrate what’s so special about this spectacular place.”

The North Pennines ANOB is also celebrating ten-years as Britain’s first European Geopark. The status recognises the area’s outstanding and unique geological heritage.

To mark the anniversary there are several geology theme fun days planned throughout the year. There will be walks and the chance to look at fossils.

Details on the events taking place to mark the anniversary can be found at www.25events25years.org.uk.