COUNTRY-loving TV stars Brian Blessed and Sir Jimmy Savile joined in the celebrations to mark the 50th birthday of a national park.
They were among the guests who braved heavy rain and put on their walking shoes to launch a year of events marking the Yorkshire Dales National Park's anniversary.
They joined senior members of the park authority, schoolchildren and Walking for Health Groups on a train ride to Ilkley on the southern edge of the Dales.
From there, they set out on a six-mile hike to Bolton Abbey, arriving in time for the lighting of a fire sculpture marking the half century.
Anniversary events co-ordinator Cathy Bennett said the idea was to show just how easy it was to reach the park, not just by road.
"There has never been as much emphasis on the benefits of taking exercise and enjoying the outdoor life," she said.
"What better place to do this than in the Yorkshire Dales National Park - it is the county's largest green gym."
For information about anniversary events planned by the authority, contact (01756) 752748 or visit www.yorkshiredales.org.uk
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