FINAL preparations are under way for the 2007 Kent Charity Walk on Saturday.

Organised and sponsored by the Kent Messenger Group and Shepherd Neame, the 10-mile walk begins and ends at Port Lympne wild animal park near Hythe and all sponsorship will be donated to 10 hospices around the county.

Around 2,900 people have already signed up to take part.

The route follows the Saxon Shore Way, taking walkers past the Roman remains of Stutfall Castle and the Royal Military Canal before looping back into the zoo grounds.

Walkers can choose their route back through the park where they can see the world’s largest family gorilla house, a captive breeding herd of black rhino, snow leopards, wolves, red pandas, tigers, rare Barbary lions, hunting dogs and many more wild animals at risk.

Each walker is given a passport which is stamped at stations en route and exchanged for a certificate and drink voucher at the finish.

The Army will once again be playing a major role in marshalling this year’s walk, with soldiers from 1 Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment, based at Brompton Barracks, Chatham, lending a hand.

The 25 soldiers will be helped by 35 teenage cadets of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment in helping walkers to find their way around the course.

They will also be involved in car parking and be available to organise lifts for anyone who has to drop out or to treat minor injuries.

If you would like to take part but haven’t registered yet there is still time. The entry fee is £8 for adults or £16 for a family of two adults and two children, which includes entrance to the animal park.

For details of how to register telephone Louise Hopkins on 01795 542173.

The hospices set to benefit are: Demelza House children’s Hospice in Sittingbourne, the Heart of Kent Hospice in Aylesford, the Lions Hospice in Northfleet, the Pilgrims Hospices in Canterbury, Ashford and Margate, the Ellenor Foundation in Dartford, the Hospice in the Weald in Pembury, Rochester’s Wisdom Hospice and St Christopher’s Hospice in Bromley.