CORSHAM’S Walking Festival is underway as world explorer David Hempleman-Adams has officially declared it open.

Over the next three days (June 12-14), more than 400 hikers will take part in the 22 routes exploring historic buildings, stone quarries and countryside in and around the town.

Thankfully, the rain held off when the first walkers set off at 2pm from the Pound Arts Centre for a 5.6 mile walk admiring architecture in the town.

Speaking at the opening the festival Mr Hempleman-Adams, from Box, said: “I’m blessed to live here, this is my local town and I’ve travelled all around the world and I always come back here as home is where the heart is.

“If people just get 50 yards away from the main road they see the most extraordinary English countryside.”

All the walks vary in difficulty and range in length from just under a mile to 15 miles with different themes from heritage to butterfly and wildlife.

Tonight, there is an evening supper event at the Almshouses from 8-11pm with a cold buffet, bar and entertainment, tickets cost £7. Another evening supper and quiz night is also taking tomorrow night from 7-11pm at the Pound Arts Centre and costs £12.

Youngsters can join in the fun too tomorrow at the Barnardo's tots toddle for those aged up to five and their parents at 10.30am starting at Springfield Community Campus. There will also be fun and games as well as a picnic.

One of the organisers of the festival Adam Walton said: “We are so lucky around here with fantastic countryside and the history and culture. It’s a just a great opportunity to showcase that and open it up to local people and also people from further afield. It puts us on the map and there are some really wonderful walks, so we are really excited about it.”

This weekend there is also free parking in the town. For more information or to book a place on a walk, contact the Pound Arts Centre on: 01249 701628. Bookings need to be made 30minutes before the start of a walk.