MORE than 100 people took to woodland pathways around Darlington as part of a popular community event.

Organisers of the fourth Darlington Community Walk say they hope the walk will continue in future years - albeit in a slightly different format.

The walk, which took place yesterday, began in Springfield Park and followed a six mile route through Skerningham Woods, alongside parts of the East Coast Main Line and including the old Salters Lane pack-horse route and Salters Lane bridge.

Young and old attended the popular event, which was first staged in 2008 as an offshoot of the Great North Walk, which had been held in Darlington for two years' previously.

Sara Garnett, from Darlington, completed the walk with her two sons, Adam, seven, and Matthew, five.

She said: "We wanted to find out where the local walking routes are. We all like walking and wanted to sort out places to go."

Friends Linda Gourlay and Rosie Dawson, both from Darlington, said they were taking part after doing the walk last year and wanted to do it again.

Mrs Dawson said: "We really enjoyed it. It's a good way to get out and enjoy the countryside."

Father and daughter, Bernard and Glynis Johnson, from Bishop Auckland, were using the walk as an opportunity to raise money for the Butterwick Hospice.

The pair hoped to raise more than £100 through sponsorship.

Mr Johnson said: "The hospice was really good at looking after my wife, Eileen, so we wanted to raise money for it.

"I really enjoy the walk. I've done it every year."

The event was organised by Darlington Borough Council and events officer Phil Haymer said he was very pleased at the turnout.

He said: "We only had a about 25 people pre-register, but then I think a lot more people came along when they saw it was a nice day.

"We hope to keep it going in future years, although it might not be on this scale.

"Next year we think we might look at doing different areas and different routes, and maybe doing it more as a series of guided walks."