FINE weather and a perfect route brought thousands out for the KM Charity Walk. Ecstatic organisers said more than 3,100 people took part, ranging in age from small children to pensioners.

The numbers beat the previous record, in 2000, by more than 700. This year, for the first time, there were two walks - one of 12 miles and one of just over four for those unable to tackle the longer course.

It proved a popular idea, allowing young children to get involved, some of whom accompanied grandparents around the shorter route while parents did the longer one.

David Cornell, one of the organisers, said the event was now so popular it would need a re-think for next year.

"It is great that it is such a success but we need now to seriously consider places which provide excellent access and parking first," he said. "For next year I shall have to find somewhere that covers those points and then create a walk around that area.

"This year's route seems to have been extremely popular. There were no ups and downs, few stiles, with a diverse landscape.

We have tried to provide what people have asked for as we are not catering only for the hardened walker.

"However, the response to this walk really has taken me by surprise. We have had more dogs this year too and the weather was just perfect - a real bonus after hearing the forecast. This year we have included the shorter walk and that has proved popular too."

Money raised from the walk will be divided among all nine of Kent's hospices. Last year's walk raised £19,000 and organisers say that should be topped this year. Mr Cornell said people from Buckingham and Cornwall had taken part in the latest walk. Planning for next year will start in about a fortnight's time. This year's longer walk wended its way around the Faversham and Seasalter area, using footpaths and farm tracks, with part of it following the Swale Heritage Trail. From there it went along the Saxon Shore Way, cut across Nagden Marshes to Faversham Creek, past Iron Wharf and back through the town to Abbey School, which was the start and finish.