CHILDREN in Selby have helped to launch a series of walking trails that offer people things to see and do around the town, whatever their age, ability or interests.

The Selby Trails are part of a project created by North Yorkshire County Council, and are designed to encourage people to get outdoors to discover the history, nature and culture on their doorstep.

Pupils from Selby Community Primary School helped to launch the trails on Friday, November 10 with a "green carpet" event at which they received Selby Trails young explorer packs and balloons.

Vicky Poole, who manages the school’s work on healthy lifestyles, said: “It is so important for families to explore new and exciting things that they can do together and rediscovering the area where they live is a fantastic way for this to happen. The trails will encourage the whole community to get out and about and this will lead to improvements in both physical and mental health.”

Funding from the County Council’s public health team has been used to improve footpaths and create the trails. There are currently ten, which range from just over one mile to about eight miles. The walks are mainly flat and between them they take in sights like Selby Abbey, Westfield cemetery, Selby lock basin, David Mayne’s sculpture, Brayton Barff Woods and Fairy Pin Well.

Senior North Yorkshire county cllr Don Mackenzie said it was about making the most of thse area’s public rights of way and showing off the town’s natural assets.

"It’s an invitation to local people to get out of the house and into the outdoors, to walk, socialise and discover the nature, history and landscape on their doorstep."

The free, downloadable trails are at www.northyorks.gov.uk/selbytrails. The website also includes the children’s packs and advice on setting up your own walking group and information about the benefits of getting out and about. Details can also be found on the Selby Trails Facebook page.

The public health team wants to find out if walking the trails improves people's health and wellbeing. Anyone going out on the trails can help by filling in a questionnaire on the website.