Kent’s first section of the England Coast Path has been opened on the White Cliffs of Dover, and a new guide book is being produced to encourage people to use the route.

A continuous path around the coastline of England is currently being created and Kent was one of the first counties where work started on the project.

Natural England, Kent County Council and Kent Ramblers have been devising routes for two sections of path – from Camber (just over the border in Sussex) to Folkestone and from Folkestone to Ramsgate, a total of 66 miles.

Both sections were opened by Andrew Sells, chairman of Natural England, at a ceremony on the National Trust’s White Cliffs Visitor Centre at Langdon Cliffs, near Dover, on Tuesday.

Kent Ramblers have produced an 80-page full-colour route guide that includes detailed maps, information about interesting sights on and near the path and background information about the geology, geography and history of the area.

The book, which will be published next month, can be ordered from the Kent Ramblers website.

The cover price is £7.50 but until the end of September it can be ordered online for just £6, including postage and a free copy of Kent Ramblers’ previous book Ten Favourite Walks in the Kent Countryside.

Robert Peel, Kent Ramblers secretary and joint author of the book, said: “Work is currently in progress on further sections of the Kent Coast Path. Work on the section from Ramsgate to Whitstable is well under way and further sections onwards to Gravesend will follow.

“From Gravesend those walking the England Coast Path will take a ferry across the Thames estuary into Essex.”

The entire England Coast Path is due for completion in 2020.

The book’s other joint author is Peter Smith from Canterbury Ramblers.