THOUSANDS of residents are set to pull on their walking shoes and take part in the annual Dudley Trail next weekend.

The walk, which is now in its 32nd year takes place on Sunday May 6 and offers routes at six, nine, 12, 18 and 26 miles.

Participants will be able to take in the sights of the borough’s canal towpaths, disused railway lines, country footpaths and a few roads as part of the walks, which all start at Dudley Leisure Centre at designated times between 8am and 12pm.

Checkpoints are strategically placed along each of the five routes for walkers to grab light refreshments and everyone who completes a trail will receive a certificate of achievement.

It costs just £2.50 per person to join the 26 and 18 miles routes, £2 for the 12 and nine miles routes and £1 to walk the more gentle six miles route. An additional fee of 50 pence will be charged for all entries on the day.

Walkers can sign up in advance from Dudley Council’s leisure centres and libraries. Forms can also be downloaded online from dudley.gov.uk/himleyhall.

Already signed up to take part are Wollaston grandparents, Rita and Robert Bridge, aged 65 and 67 respectively, who are stalwarts of the annual event.

The pair, who are Action Heart supporters, first began taking part after Rita suffered a heart attack when she was just 49 years-old.