MORE than 240 people came out in the sunshine for the second annual Chepstow Walking Festival at the weekend.

The three-day walking festival hosted by Chepstow Walkers are Welcome spanned from April12 to14. The festival was opened by Stephanie Dovey, Chepstow Town Mayor, at Beaufort Square along with music from 80 members of the Singing Club of Chepstow.

Helen Kenneally, 58, secretary of Chepstow Walkers are Welcome, said: "The festival was really successful, the great weather really benefited us. It was a great turnout, about 30 per cent of people came from outside the county which is brilliant to bring trade into the town.

"The furthest afield were from Buckinghamshire. The Welsh Walk was a success, people from all over Wales came. We wanted to offer walks in both English and Welsh as we are a border town to both."

The festival offered a variety of walks including along Offa's Dyke to Wintour Leap, Chepstow Park Wood and St Tewdrics Trail Linear walk from Mathern to Tintern.

Ms Kenneally said: "Some of the walkers were part of the singing group which gave it a real community feel. The festival attracted a variety of people, there were a few ramblers but mostly people who wanted to learn the route.

"It was great to see smiling faces with people enjoying themselves."

All the walks were lead by members of the Cheptow Walkers are Welcome group which are set to host the annual Walkers are Welcome get together in October.