CALLS have been made by Torfaen’s AM, Lynne Neagle, to protect the future funding of a walking scheme in the county borough.

The AM has met with the Welsh Government (WG) minister for public health, Rebecca Evans, to discuss Torfaen’s Take a Stroll initiative.

The scheme - run by Ramblers Cymru (RC)- is part of Let’s Walk Cymru and funds organised weekly walks throughout Torfaen for all abilities and ages.

RC was funded through an 11-year WG grant but were asked in July 2016 to review programmes and submit proposals for their future.

With a 6-month extension to their funding in February 2017, while further information was sought, RC were told they would need to source alternative funding.

Ms Neagle joined walkers last year in Torfaen to see the health and well being benefits the scheme offered and has called for WG to extend funding for Lets Walk Cymru while they review the most recent report submitted by Ramblers Cymru on September 29.

Lynne Neagle AM said the Take a Stroll project is a “great example” of a WG scheme making a “real difference to the lives of people living in Torfaen” - a scheme promoting more active, healthy and social lifestyles.

“I hope that following our meeting the Minister will consider the latest report carefully before making any decisions and I would welcome the extension of funds while officials look into this in more detail,” she added.

A decision from the Welsh Government is expected within the next few weeks.