YORKSHIRE Water and the Ramblers' Association will be linking up to put their best feet forward at the weekend.

Both are planning a series of walks to mark the successful end to a campaign with a history going back over a century.

Benny Rothman, who led the Kinder Trespass in 1932, described moorland in the north of England as "the finest rambling countryside".

His modern followers will celebrate this Sunday's introduction of the Countryside Rights of Way Act, which gives walkers the right to roam on designated access land around Yorkshire's reservoirs.

Yorkshire Water is the region's largest land- owner, with more than 72,000 acres across the county.

The company is committed to opening as much countryside as possible to walkers, while minimising disruption for people who live and work in rural areas.

A spokesman said: "Yorkshire Water owns some of the UK's most beautiful countryside.

"We have been working closely with the Ramblers' Association, English Nature, the Countyside Agency and our tenants to accommodate open access.

"Sunday is an historic date and the Ramblers' Association and the company are delighted to share the walks."

* Details of the new open areas is on the Countryside Agency's website, where open access maps are also available. Information is also on the Ordnance Survey's Explorer maps.

Maps for Kirklees can be seen at the council's Flint Street, Fartown, depot (phone 01484 225573).