A WALKING festival is set to celebrate some of Dorset’s most iconic beauty spots – for the third time.

Organisers have announced the launch of the Swanage and Purbeck Walking Festival which will run from April 28 until May 6.

This will be the third time this popular walking event attempts to get people outdoors to see what Dorset has to offer.

Walkers of all ages, interests and abilities will be catered for with a walk programme that shows off the beautiful Jurassic Coast, unspoiled heathland, nature reserves and idyllic Dorset villages. Some lucky walkers may even get the chance to spot some of the UK’s rarest species such as the Sikka deer as well as view iconic landmarks such as Corfe Castle and Old Harry Rocks.

A spokesman for main sponsor Oswald Bailey, the outdoor clothing and camping retailer, said: “The event totally encompasses the ethos of our brand.”

The programme this year is set to be the most diverse from leisurely strolls around the Isle of Purbeck to 16-mile walks along the South West Coast Path. Visit walkswanage.com