IS it really a year since the last Great North Walk, when thousands set out from the magnificent setting of Auckland Castle?

Is it really two years since that glorious - too hot - day when the Great North Walkers climbed the hills above Wolsingham with the reward of some of the finest views anywhere in England? How time flies.

This year, we were back in Wolsingham - the gateway to the Dales -for another magnificent eight-mile trek, with thousands returning for an event which is now firmly re-established.

The Great North Walk has become a very special event for us at The Northern Echo because it is part of our on-going campaign aimed at reducing heart disease levels in this region.

The campaign, A Chance To Live, was launched five years ago when Ian Weir, a friend and colleague at The Northern Echo, died aged 38 after he waited nearly eight months for a triple heart bypass operation.

We are delighted that the average waiting time for bypass surgery in this country is now down to three months - in line with other European countries.

But the campaign goes on to promote health education through our valued partnership with Wear Valley District Council, the Dales Primary Care Trust and Northumbrian Water.

The result has been a significant increase in participation in exercise and better public health throughout Wear Valley, with the Great North Walk being the headline event.

It is because of the tragic background to our campaign that we were particularly delighted to see the British Heart Foundation become headline sponsors of the Great North Walk. It seems to us to be a perfect fit.

So thank you to everyone who made the Great North Walk another huge success - the sponsors, the expert organisers, and the participants.

Here's to next year's event - it'll be here before you know it.