A SPECIAL guided walk will take place next month to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Peak District National Park Ranger service.

For the first time, the entire boundary of the park – almost 200 miles – will be walked over 15 consecutive days.

The event takes place between April 10 and April 24, starting and ending at Marsden.

The walks will take in 194 miles of beautiful countryside in Cheshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, South and West Yorkshire and Staffordshire.

They will be led by National Park Ranger Andy Valentine, who said: "As far as we are aware, this will be the first time anyone has attempted to walk around the entire boundary on consecutive days.

"I don't expect many people to attempt the entire distance, but people are welcome to come along on as many days as they want."

The event has the double aim of celebrating the golden anniversary and raising cash for the Peak District Lifeline Appeal.

The appeal, co-ordinated by the National Park Authority and British Heart Foundation, aims to equip Rangers with 50 life-saving defibrillators, one for each year of the service.

They will be used to help heart attack victims in remote areas.

Lynn Crowe, chairman of the National Park Authority's park management committee, said: "We are hoping as many people as possible will take part in the walks, and also help to raise funds for the Lifeline Appeal.

"The cost of each defibrillator is less than £1,000, so every penny counts towards saving a life."

The Ranger service focused on helping people access and enjoy the countryside when it was set up in 1954.

But over the decades the work has expanded to include looking after scheduled ancient monuments, conserving habitats for wildlife and hosting walks and giving talks for visitors from all over the world.

The walks start on April 10 with a 15-mile route from Marsden railway station to the Flouch area.

The walks are free and booking is not needed. But it is essential for people wanting to take advantage of a free mini-bus service from the end to the start of each walk.

Phone 01629 816290 for details.