IT is now almost 20 years since the first Ulverston Walking Festival encouraged people of all ages and all levels of fitness to explore the town and countryside with expert guides.

This year's festival, now called Ulverston WalkFest, was due to be held from April 25 to May 4.

It is among the many events cancelled due to coronavirus, so today's pictures from The Mail archive show the walking festival in happier times.

The WalkFest website notes: "We shall be sorry not to see you lovely people who come to share the glories of the outdoors with us but we are confident we will be back in business next year."

News of the first festival was announced in The Mail on Friday, January 7 in 2000 and would be held from April 1 to 9.

It was to feature long and short walks, in Ulverston and out into the countryside, which had been organised by Jean and Steve Povey, of the Walkers' Hostel, Ulverston.

The Mail, on January 18, said that the new event had support from the European Regional Development Fund and the Low Furness and Ulverston Neighbourhood Forum.

The article noted: "Ulverston's first walking festival starts on April Fools' Day and town mayor Ron Creer will be donning his boots to lead a family walk with silly hats.

"The 11-mile Saturday trek will leave Market Place at 10am, accompanied by a street performer.

"For non silly hat-types, Footlooose and Fancy Free, a single group, will organise a walk from The Gill at 2pm.

"Two hours later there will be a walk from Bardsea's Braddyll's Arms, visiting ancient sites, including the stone circle on Birkrigg with the leader telling historical facts along the way.

"Other walks planned include one covering the first 12 miles of the Cumbria Way, led by Mick Leverton, from Furness Ramblers."

The Mail, on Monday, April 3, noted: "Walkers pulled on their wellies when town councillor and ecologist Richard Scott led a group for a four-mile ecology walk at the Bay Horse and Canal Foot.

"The action continued this morning with walks in Next Ness and Plumpton and Holebiggerah and beyond."

Events to provide a rest after a long day of walking included a quiz night at the Farmers Arms with entertainment from Son of Kong - and a gallon of ale for the quiz winner.

There was also an illustrated talk at the Ulverston Coronation Hall by sand pilot Cedric Robinson  and a walk around the Ulverston which would have been familiar to the town's Georgian naval administrator and explorer Sir John Barrow by local historian Bernard Ellis.

The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers provided a session for volunteers to try their hand at stone stile and bridge fixing.