PEOPLE in West Devon are being encouraged to put a spring in their step for the first ever Walk to Work week from Monday, April 27 to Friday, May 1.

Devon County Council's Travelwise campaign is supporting the national event with the message that walking is healthy, environmentally friendly and free.

Walk to Work Week aims to raise awareness of the benefits of walking and encourage people to fit more of it into their everyday lives.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council executive member for environment said: 'Walking is simply the healthiest way to travel. It can reduce stress, help to reduce high blood pressure, make you feel good, reduce your carbon footprint and best of all, it costs absolutely nothing.

'With heart disease, one of the biggest causes of early death in Britain, we could all benefit from leaving the car at home and walking to work, school or the shops. Even the shortest journey can make all the difference so I hope that many people take advantage of the good weather and start walking now.'

Walk to Work Week is aiming to be an annual reminder of the benefits of walking.