RESIDENTS are being encouraged to share their favourite walks and walking pursuits over the summer holidays, as part of a campaign to get people moving.

The winning walks will win fitbits, vouchers to spend on walking gear and other related goodies to help the winners get out and about over the summer.

There are weekly prizes worth £100, with final prizes worth £250 and £500 up for grabs too.

To enter the summer competition people need to upload a short video or photo to Instagram or Facebook and tag @GMWalks with the hashtag #HiddenWalksGM.

They must also include information about where the walk is, and why they love it.

Nominated routes could include a site of interest such as a historic landmark, a hidden oasis that you think deserves some recognition.

A walk that has strong personal memories or somewhere that provides a fun place to provide a stroll can also be put forward.

The summer walks scheme will share knowledge about interesting places to explore, so people can rediscover the benefits of walking and reconnect with friends and neighbours.

Wigan’s Wellbeing Coordinaror for Walks, Tracey Morris, said, “This is a great competition to be running in our area.

"Often people think of walking as something they have to plan for, have walking boots to achieve or travel miles in the car to get to.

“Often more local walks and points of interest get overlooked, with some people not realising what important history, diverse cultural assets and amazing spaces we’ve got, literally, just round the corner.

“My favourite walk is Borsdane woods in Hindley.

"The reason being is that you can see the seasons change and you get to appreciate the beauty of the woodland.

"I’m really interested to see what other walks people nominate – mainly as it means I’ll have more places to walk to and investigate for myself.”

The scheme follows the Greater Manchester Walking Festival 2019 earlier this year, which saw thousands of people taking part in more than 400 walks across the region.

It is part of GM Moving – an plan to help reduce inactivity in the area, supported by the borough, the NHS and Greater Sport charity.

GM Moving’s walking lead, Beth Sutcliffe, said: “Walking is often overlooked as a way to get active, but it can be a great way to add more movement to your day, as well as being a fun and sociable way to explore the local area too, no matter what your age or fitness level.

“It doesn’t need to be about hiking boots and trekking poles - some comfy footwear and adventurous spirit is all you need. Whether you step, roll, push or whatever, it’s about getting out and getting active.

“Through this competition we hope that more people will share their favourite walks for others to enjoy over the summer, as well as ideas for ways to get out and about more in Wigan.”

The competition runs until Friday, August 30 with weekly prizes worth £100, plus a final grand prize worth £500, and runner up prize worth £250.

Terms and conditions apply.