Deal is renewing its status as a Walkers are Welcome town and Mercury and Kentonline readers are urged to help achieve that goal.

There are more than 100 towns in the Walkers Are Welcome network, which neighbouring Dover joined in 2016.

Towns are encouraged to ensure: - They are attractive to walkers with information on walks in the area; that footpaths and other facilities for walkers are maintained, improved and well signposted; that walking helps tourism plans and town improvement strategies; that health benefits of walking to encourage more walkers are promoted; and that use of public transport is promoted.

More information about the scheme is online at https://walkersarewelcome.org.uk/

The Mayor of Deal, Cllr Eileen Rowbotham, said: “The Deal motto is Adjuvate Advenas - Befriend the Stranger. Being part of Walkers Are Welcome encourages more walkers to visit our lovely town.”

The Deal Walkers are Welcome group needs 5% of the local population to support the status being renewed. That’s 1,500 signatures.

If you are happy to support Deal continuing to be a Walkers Are Welcome town, and you are a resident of Deal please click here to sign the online petition.

If you wish to find out more about how the scheme will work locally or are a Deal business and wish to support the scheme please email dealwalkersrwelcome@gmail.com

Read more: All the latest news from Deal