Norfolk County Council's Cycling and Walking Festival kicked off this week with a five mile walk around Dereham on Sunday.

The walk, which took 24 walkers around Etling Green and Northall Green, was made possible with the support of conservation groups who helped cut back nettles and make the paths more accessible.

One of the most challenging jobs was on Swanton Road which had been made hazardous to walkers by a steep ditch on one side and an overgrown thorny hedge on the other.

Ten volunteers from Dereham Walkers are Welcome worked with The Norfolk Conservation Volunteers to cut back the hedge, level out the path and make it a safe route for walkers to use.

The Walkers are Welcome group regularly works to clear and maintain pathways and arranges various public walks. More information is available on their website.