Beautiful Pendle in the frame at the Walking Festival

Walkers, remember to take photos while you're out taking part in the Pendle Walking Festival - you could win a prize!

This year the festival organisers are running a competition to find the photographs that best depict the Walking Festival.

Pendle Council's Tourism Officer Mike Williams explained:

"We'd love to see your photographs of you out enjoying the Pendle countryside.

"And we're not just interested in scenery shots; we'd like some photos with people in them.

"The best photographs could be used in the programme for next year's Walking Festival, which is sent to tourist information centres all over the UK.

"Plus the photograph judged the best overall will win a £50 shopping voucher, and the runner up will win a £30 shopping voucher."

The 7th annual Pendle Walking Festival began last Saturday, 4th September.

Since then almost 30 walks have covered around 225 miles of beautiful Pendle countryside  - mostly in glorious weather.

And there are over 50 more walks still to come between now and Sunday 12th September.

On Wednesday, 8th September, you can discover Colne's rich history on the town centre heritage trail - meet at the library at 1pm for this easy, two mile walk along pavements. 

On Friday, 10th September, walkers can be among the first to walk a new circular walk around Winewall and Lidgett. This seven mile walk is suitable for walkers of moderate ability and sets off from Upper Ball Grove car park at 11am.

And the Walking Festival will draw to a close on Sunday, 12th September, with the Barlick and Back walk. For more experienced walkers, this 12 mile canalside walk sets off from Café Cargo in Foulridge at 10am.

Councillor Jonathan Eyre, who represents tourism in Pendle, said:

"We're very proud of our Walking Festival, of how it's regarded and of the number of visitors it brings to Pendle.

"Tourism in Pendle is worth £77million a year and employs 1,200 people.

"Through the course of this Walking Festival local eating establishments and accommodation providers will surely benefit, with many people choosing to make a longer break of their visit.

"But the real winners are the walkers who have visited Pendle and seen for themselves our stunning landscapes - let's hope they brought their cameras with them!"

The photography competition is open to anyone who takes part in one or more walks as part of the Pendle Walking Festival.

Please email your photographs to tourism@pendle.gov.uk. 

Alternatively, you can upload them to the album on the Pendle Walking Festival page on Facebook - but please leave your contact details if you'd like to enter the competition.

For more information about the Walking Festival photography competition, contact Mike Williams, Pendle Council's Tourism Officer, on (01282) 661963.