A GUIDE to enjoying County Durham's countryside is now available.

Durham County Council's countryside group has produced a 36-page booklet, called County Durham, which includes more than 150 walks and events taking place from April to September and news about local nature reserves, open access, bike rides, off-road motorcycling, maritime heritage and hedge-laying.

The first walk of the season is on Saturday, April 2, a ten-mile circular walk from Waldridge Fell, near Chester-le-Street.

The walks include easy, medium and hard routes ranging from just over a mile to 15 miles. As well as hard hikes in the hills, there are photographic walks on the magnesian limestone grassland, night-time bat walks and dawn chorus bird walks.

"The varied walks programme has something for everyone, while the events are a chance for people to meet countryside rangers and volunteers," said Maria Murphy, the council's countryside information officer.

The guide is free and available at libraries and Tourist Information Centres or from Maria Murphy at County Hall, Durham, on (0191) 383 4144.