VISITORS from across the country have enjoyed nine days of "glorious walking" in Otley.

The 2016 Otley Walking Festival, which concluded on Sunday, featured more than 50 treks and related events.

As well as a variety of themed walks, this year's festival included the launch of a new, 28-mile trail, The Welcome Way – connecting Otley, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Baildon and Bingley.

Another special attraction was the In The Footsteps Of The Leeds Pals, which followed the route the troops took from Masham railway station to their training camp in Colsterdale.

The walk, on Saturday, was arranged to tie in with the commemorations for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

Otley Walking Festival chairman, Ruth Blackwell, named it as one of her standout moments.

She said: "James Bovington, author of a new play about the experiences of the youngest Leeds Pals, arranged for two of the young school student actors in First World War uniforms to flank the memorial while a bugler played the Last Post – a very moving experience."

Looking back on the festival as a whole, she added: "We have just celebrated nine days of glorious walking with our Festival Finale at The Manor pub on Sunday.

“We’ve had a fantastic week and it’s gone from strength to strength.

"Word about the festival has certainly spread because we’ve had folk coming from all over the country – even one from Australia!

"The weather’s been good on the whole, apart from one dramatic downpour on Wednesday. Luckily, a local farmer kindly answered our prayers on one walk and provided a dry barn to shelter in for our lunch.

"Mostly, though, despite the showers, Wharfedale’s been able to showcase its finest views.

"Feedback has been very positive, with lots of praise for the variety of walks and evening entertainment in the programme. The warmth of our Otley welcome has been specially noted.

"Thanks go to the great team of walk leaders, who give their time and expertise voluntarily, and to our main financial sponsors – Chevin Trek of Otley, Leeds city councillors and Otley Town Council, and all the businesses who donated prizes for the superb raffle."

Otley's MP Greg Mulholland joined in the fun, taking part in the Otley Timble Circular and the finale.

He said: "It was another excellent festival, with a huge variety of walks and good attendances, despite some rather mixed weather!

"Congratulations and thanks to Ruth, the organisers and all the walk leaders for working so hard and volunteering their time to make the festival such a success."