VOLUNTEERS are being sought for a walk that will pass through Swindon and Wootton Bassett in aid of charity Meningitis UK.

On Saturday, April 30, Steve Dayman, the chief executive of the national charity will start a seven-day, 136-mile walk from the charity's offices in Bristol.

The walk will link two of the Meningitis Research Centres that the charity is currently funding at Oxford University and Imperial College London.

The walk will pass through the Wootton Bassett and Swindon areas during the first week of May and the charity is looking for new supporters who may wish to take part.

Mr Dayman said: "We are aiming to raise £20,000 from this seven-day event and we are appealing to anyone in the Swindon and Wootton Bassett area to come along and join us.

"They can help us reach our target by either collecting in the towns and villages as we pass through or by being sponsored to walk a stage. Just one or two miles will make a real difference."

The charity wishes to point out that the Meningitis C Vaccine does not protect against all forms of bacterial meningitis.

There is still no vaccine to protect against the most common form of bacterial meningitis meningitis B.

The walkers will also be handing out handy symptoms cards to the general public.

The cards highlight the common symptoms of meningitis and those that may exist with meningococcal septicaemia. For more details call 0117 373 7373.