RESIDENTS are being urged to step into spring by taking part in the first Greater Manchester Walking Weekend.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is co-ordinating 30 fun walks this weekend, including at Pennington Hall Park and along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Plank Lane in Leigh.

The three-mile Plank Lane health walk will take place from 11am on Friday, March 3, with the meeting point being the swing bridge car park on Slag Lane.

The three to six-mile Pennington Hall Park walk will start at 10am the following day.

Dogs can take part and instructors will be on hand to offer advice on Nordic walking as well as leading the walk.

Participants should meet at the car park.

The walks are supported by Wigan Council’s leisure partner Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles.

Cllr Jenny Bullen, the council's portfolio holder for leisure, client and resources, said: “It is important for people of all ages across the borough to feel good about themselves, maintain healthy lives and enjoy social activities like walking.

"The Greater Manchester Walking Weekend is an excellent opportunity for residents to enjoy some of the great walking routes we have through Wigan and Leigh’s Greenheart, coming together as communities to support each other in getting active.”

Cllr Chris Paul, TfGM's committee cycling and walking champion, added: “We are pleased to be working with some of our local walking partners again to build on the success of our previous walking events and deliver the region’s first Spring Walking Weekend.

“Spring is a particularly beautiful and picturesque time in the British calendar so there really are lots of reasons to get involved and explore some of Greater Manchester’s stunning scenery and interesting past.”

For more information about the walks visit inspiringhealthylifestyles.org/walking or contact Tracy Morris on 07943 840 259 on via t.morris@wlct.org.