THE 38th annual Wessex Walks to Salisbury, in aid of Save the Children, took place on Sunday, a fine, dry day with hundreds of walkers approacing the city from Devizes, Wimborne, Winchester and other starting points.

Salisbury's mayor, Sue Mallory, and her consort Iain Aitkenhead, both wearing their chains of office, were among those taking part. Ms Mallory chose to walk the 16-mile circular route round the city but more than 1,000 people walked the Whitesheet Hill route from Ludwell. There were school parties and groups of Scouts and Guides, as well as church groups, family groups and firms taking part.

Joe Coult, of Laverstock, walked from Winchester with Salisbury Methodists for the 38th consecutive year.

Gary Osgood, of Bemerton Heath, took part again on crutches, doing the six-mile footpath route, while others covered distances ranging from three miles to 25 miles.

As weary walkers of all ages collapsed on to the lawns outside the cathedral to rest their aching legs and feet, there were signs of a few blisters and some windburn.

Walks secretary Arthur Millie was still counting the dozens of route card counterfoils earlier this week, when he said: "It looks as though we have had more than the 1,500 walkers last year. The atmosphere in the cathedral cloisters was wonderful, and the signing-in procedure went very smoothly."