A RAMBLER on his first long-distance walk with a group of friends can look forward to a new pair of boots and a year's supply of ale after recovering a hidden stone copy of a Yorkshire author's book.

Mark Reid had three copies of editions of the Inn Way series carved in the finest Lakeland slate and placed them carefully along routes in the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and on the North York Moors.

Bill Perfitt of Guisborough was with a party crossing the latter when he stumbled across his prize.

"Finding the Stone Book was a complete bonus to the walk itself - something we never really expected to happen," he said.

"It was the icing on the cake of what had been an absolutely fantastic six days.

"The stone slate itself is a really fine piece of craftsmanship and will take pride of place in my home for many years to come."

Mr Perfitt's discovery entitles him to a pair of Brasher walking boots, gaiters and trekking poles as well as a year's supply of Black Sheep ale, brewed by Theakstons in Masham, North Yorkshire.

Mr Reid said there are still Stone Books in the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District waiting to be found by the end of the year.