A RECORD number of walkers - 3,421 - took part in the KM Shepherd Neame Charity Walk at the Kent County Showground at Detling to raise money for Kent hospices.

After completing the nine-mile circular course many of the walkers, muddied up to their knees, made their way back to the showground's pavilion for a free Shepherd Neame beer and a bite to eat.

The record number of walkers means that this year may be prove to be a record-breaking fund-raiser.

All the money raised with be shared between Demelza House Children's Hospice, at Bobbing near Sittingbourne; the Heart of Kent Hospice, Aylesford; the Hospice in the Weald, Pembury; the Lions Hospice, Northfleet; the Ellenor Foundation, Dartford; the Wisdom Hospice, Rochester; and the three Pilgrims Hospices at Canterbury, Willesborough and Margate.

The walk went through the Murrain Woods, up to Stockings Wood, on to Park Valley, round to Scragged Oak, to Bredhurst Community Hall, down through Monkdown Woods, along the North Downs and back to the showground.

Not far from the finish line bagpipe players greeted the walkers and played them home in style.

The first people to cross the finish line were three friends who all work at Hillreed Homes and completed the course in two hours.

Matt Luton, 24, from Maidstone, Michael Rowland, 44, from Coxheath and Dave Garrett, 59, from Maidstone, all raised £50 each.

Mr Luton said: "It was two hours on the nose I think which is pretty good. We made an 8am start and it went fine. It was just a bit muddy."