PEOPLE are urged to get out and about to enjoy a preserved stretch of the region’s coastline.

A celebration is being staged to encourage people to head to the beach as part of the Heritage Coast Outdoor Festival.

From tomorrow (Friday, May 27) and Sunday June 5 more than 40 activities are being held by the Durham Heritage Coastline group as part of the Reach for the Beach initiative.

These include kayak taster sessions, rock rambles, short walks and a half marathon.

Durham County Council is linking the Reach for the Beach drive with a series of walks, as part of the Everyone Active North-East campaign and National Walking month.

The walks, spread across different environmental settings throughout County Durham, include Celebrating our Coast, a four-hour circular route starting at Dalton Park, in Murton, on Saturday (May 28), at 12-noon, and ‘Fairy Flax to Andy Capp’, an eight-mile trek led by heritage coast officer Niall Benson, between Crimdon Dene and the Headland, in Hartlepool, on Sunday (May 29).

It starts at Crimdon Beach car park, off the A1086, near Pony World, and is expected to take three hours.

Durham County Council’s principal physical activity manager, Andrew Brown, said: “These organised walks are a great way to explore new routes in your local area in the safety of a group and meet new people.”

Mr Benson said: “We’re very proud of our beautiful Heritage Coast and Reach for the Beach is a fantastic showcase for the range of outdoor activities that are possible here.  This half-term is a great time to get out there and enjoy it.

“It’s a challenge putting on community events like this given the current financial climate.  We’ve been able to do so by bringing together a host of events planned by different groups under the umbrella of Reach for the Beach.

“In total, 28 organisations have been involved and some have kindly moved their planned activities so that they’d land during the festival.  As a result, Reach for the Beach can offer dancing, running, cycling, kayaking and a whole range of activities for all ages.

“There’s also the chance to cheer on National Trust Half Marathon runners and even pirates and a treasure hunt at Crimdon Dene.  We’re excited by the festival’s potential and hopefully it will prove popular.”

Colin Burn is the watersports development officer based at Seaham Marina.

He said: “Seaham Marina is a great venue for learning watersports.  The flat water is ideal for beginners who can progress to the inner and outer harbour and then the open sea as skills and confidence develop.

“We have funding for a new watersports’ centre here, which should be open in October, and we’re already running kayak and open water swimming sessions.  In the future we’ll move into rowing and sailing too.  

“We want to get more local people and schools involved in enjoying this beautiful coast from the water and interest is growing.

“This half term and this summer, our aim is to get people out and enjoying the water safely.  Reach for the Beach can only help with that.”

A leaflet with all 55 Reach for the Beach activities can be downloaded from www.durhamheritagecoast.org, while a timetable of the organised walks, can be viewed on www.durham.gov.uk/walk4life, on the county council’s website.