BUSINESS leaders hope ramblers will provide a tourism boost with the launch of a new series of walks.

The Upper Teesdale Tourism Network group hopes to attract people to Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham.

The group, made up of business owners, has launched the Teesdale Challenge Walks scheme.

Adam Hearn, of the Kinsgway Adventure Centre and a tourism network member, said: “The aim was to get more visitors into the area to stay and spend money.

“They are self guided walks and people can visit the website and print off the maps to follow.”

The walks are aimed at all ages and are split into the rainbow family challenge, bronze, silver and gold sections depending upon their length and hardness.

The walks all start and end in Middleton-in-Teesdale and they range from 2.4miles up to 18.8miles.

Certificates are available for walkers which involves people doing a certain number of walks in one of the sections.

Details on the scheme and the walks can be found online at teesdalechallengewalks.net