WALKING the way to health was the order of the day in Okehampton last week, as an intrepid adventurer undertook part of the last leg of her epic journey.

Carol Pollock, originally from Scarborough but now living in Surrey, began her journey from John O'Groats at the start of April and hopes to arrive in Land's End this week.

Last Wednesday she joined up with members of Okehampton's Walk and Talk group who joined her en route to Launceston.

Last year saw Carol undertake the same walk but the other way round, from Land's End to John O'Groats. She was spurred on after her daughter Sophie died of a brain tumour shortly before turning fifteen.

Sophie was treated at The Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey and was meant to join her mum on the walk when she recovered but, sadly, that never happened.

Carol's first sponsored walk raised close to £50,000 for The Royal Marsden Hospital but this time around, the aim of the walk is to raise awareness of the Walking The Way To Health (WHI), Action for Life health walks.

WHI is the largest national body promoting and setting the standards for led health walks. It is a joint initiative between Natural England and the British Heart Foundation, encouraging people, particularly those who take little exercise, to do regular short walks in their communities.

WHI supports more than 525 local health walk schemes across the country including Okehampton's Walk and Talk Group.

Stella Goddard, programme manager for WHI, said: 'Inactivity is one of the biggest health challenges facing this country.

'Our walking schemes are a fun, free and sociable way to inspire people to get out walking.

'We're delighted that Carol is doing this challenge and helping to raise awareness of our initiative.'

Speaking before setting off from Okehampton Post Office, Carol said: 'I'm here to raise the awareness of walking for health and action for life — we want people to know more about the work we do.

'I'm very pleased to get a good turnout and it's nice I can be in Okehampton for the group's walking day.

'It's going to be great to talk to everyone and hopefully be inspired by other people's stories.

'The only bad thing is, it's much more hilly in Devon than anywhere else, even Scotland!'

Further details about Carol's walk are available from http://www.whi.org.uk">www.whi.org.uk

Okehampton Walk and Talk group meet weekly for both short and moderate walks.

They meet outside Waitrose in Okehampton on Tuesday mornings at 10.30am and outside Okehampton Post Office at 10am on Wednesdays.

All walks are free and led by trained walking group leaders.

For further information please contact walk co-ordinator Helen Buxton-Smith on 07792 717719.