A NEW group of walkers will be taking over the Dartmoor National Park Authority's public guided walks programme next month, and kick-starting the programme with a walk looking into the Bellever antiquities.

Moorland Guides is a newly created, small co-operative of existing and qualified guides who have been working with the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) in providing and leading guided walks and supporting the educational programme by guiding school groups.

The DNPA will be handing over the responsibility for the public guided walks programme to the Moorland Guides from April 1, and Moorland Guides will be launched on April 3 at Postbridge with a variety of walks.

Simon Dell, director of Moorland Guides, said: 'This will be an opportunity for the guides themselves to look at the guided walk programme and take it forward as a private entity.

'It gives us, the guides, the chance to really expand the variety of walks available and to listen to our clients and customers and provide a new and innovative programme of walks aimed at all abilities and groups.'

The guides will still be properly qualified, insured and trained.

They will have their moorland first aid qualifications and CRB checks so nothing will change from when they operated with the DNPA.

The Moorland Guides programme will also extend beyond Dartmoor, working on Exmoor, Lundy Island, The Jurassic Coast and as far as Hadrian's Wall.

The guides first walk will take place on Tuesday April 3, where they will be leading two-hour guided walks all day from 10am onwards, with a variety of guides looking at the Bellever antiquities.

The fees for the walks will be donated to the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team from Ashburton, which will also be in attendance on the day.

Meet the guides at Postbridge by the national park information centre.