AN army of dedicated walkers are getting prepared to hike across the Cleveland Hills and the North York Moors in aid of a vital life saving service.

The long-established Boosbeck Station Hotel charity walk for the Great North Air Ambulance is a 22-mile circular walk, which and finishes at the bar.

Peter Welcome, for the walk committee, said "This walk is going from strength to strength, and we want to make this the biggest yet. The more walkers we get, the better the reward for the GNAA.

“It’s not just a walk for local villagers, in the past we have welcomed walkers from across Teesside and the North East and hope to see them again this year.”

The annual walk, this year taking place on May 26, raised £6,300 for the charity last year, taking its contribution to the grand total of £23,000 raised over the last six years.

Jim Entwistle, for the GNAA, said "Support such as this is vital to maintaining this life saving service. The fact that they chose us year after year to be the recipients of this fantastic amount of money means that more life saving missions can be carried out.”

Anyone wanting to take part in the walk should contact (CORR) Bernie Johns on 01287-653774, (CORR) Mike Biondi on 01287651044 or Peter Welcome on 01287-652988.