WALKERS have less than a month to get their entry forms in for this summer's Great North Walk in Weardale.

Almost 2,500 people have signed up to take part in the ten-mile trek, on Sunday, July 13, through the countryside around Wolsingham.

The route starts and finishes at the village recreation ground, taking in the riverside, a forestry track to Knitsley Fell, local landmark the Elephant Trees, and parts of the new Weardale Way.

Organiser Wear Valley District Council, in association with Nova International and Tyne Tees Television, is urging anyone who wants to join the event to complete an entry form, reproduced above, as soon as possible.

A maximum of 5,000 people are able to take part, and enrolment levels are up compared with the same time in 2000, when the event followed a similar route.

The closing date for entry forms is Monday, June 23.

Max Coleby, head of community and cultural services at Wear Valley District Council, said: "It is still relatively early stages for entries but they are going really well.

"Lots of people will enjoy taking part with a group, with friends, colleagues or family, and completing the route for sponsorship of their choice, so they should send in their forms soon."

The council has teamed up with The Northern Echo, Northumbrian Water and Durham Dales Primary Care Trust in the campaign A Chance to Live, which aims to improve the district's poor record on heart disease by encouraging people to take more exercise and eat healthily.

A programme of eight moderate walks, organised by The Butterwick Hospice and The Experience Corps, got under way yesterday and will be perfect training for the Great North Walk.

For information on other hospice walks, call Lynne Wilson on (01388) 765555.

Read more about the Chance to Live Campaign here.