Significant work has been carried out to make public paths in Dereham more 'walker-friendly' and new plaques have been installed to mark the improved routes.

The work was carried out by Dereham Walkers are Welcome whose spokesman Ken Hawkins said: 'Most paths around the town remain easily usable all through the year, but there is a small handful where nettles and brambles in particular grow up in the summer months, and can make walking the paths difficult - especially if you are young and short or have bare legs or both.

'To keep these paths usable requires constant effort, and Dereham Walkers are Welcome strives to make that effort.

'Over the past month, work has been done on all of the more difficult routes, using hand shears, secateurs, a hedge trimmer and a brush cutter - the latter with the co-operation of The Ramblers Norfolk.

'It is on these where the new plaques can be seen, and proclaim that the path should be easy to use.'

The town has more than 30 public rights of way and the plaques were supplied by Dereham Town Council.

Walkers are Welcome, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, is a nationwide initiative of over 100 locations, launched in 2007 to encourage towns and villages to be 'welcoming to walkers'.

It aims to make routes attractive destinations for walkers with top quality information on local walks, and to ensure that footpaths and facilities are maintained, improved and well signposted.

Keeping paths clear for everyone to use has enabled Dereham Walkers are Welcome to arrange a number of public walks.

The next one will be on Bank Holiday Monday and will be seven and a quarter miles long, taking about three hours, but it can also be reduced for anyone wanting a shorter walk. It will include one of the paths cleared recently.

As has become normal for these walks, the ticket price (£6.50 on this occasion) includes a drink and piece of cake at the end of the walk, this time at Yaxham Waters.

Full details are on the website www.DerehamWaW.org.uk, or you can contact Ken Hawkins via dtc.fpwarden@talktalk.net or on 07505 426750.