Members of the borough's Walkwell programme launched their ten local walks for health - after publishing a handy Step Out for Health pack of full-colour leaflets covering each route.

The routes and the pack have been developed by Walkwell and Hammersmith & Fulham Urban Studies Centre (HFUSC) using a team of community volunteers to research and develop the walks and leaflets, each of which comprises a description of the route, photographs, a map and eight points of historical and environmental interest.

The volunteers, members of Walkwell and representatives from HFUSC, Hammersmith & Fulham Council and the Countryside Agency took part in the beginning of Walk 5 (St Paul's to St Peter's) to celebrate completion of the walks and the pack. Leaving from HFUSC's base in Talgarth Road, Hammersmith, they walked along the riverside via Furnivall Gardens and the Old Ship pub.

Sylvia Warman, Walkwell co-ordinator, said: "Our aim is to reach anyone from any age group whose health would benefit from taking part in short walks. The average length of the walks is one mile and we have covered most parts of the borough. We are very proud of the huge amount of time and energy our volunteer walkers have contributed to the creation, design and research of the leaflets pack. We plan to produce a video to promote the pack and local walks to community groups and an audio guide for people with visual impairments."

Volunteer walker and Fulham resident Eleanor Neil, who helped to research the leaflets and produce the maps, said: "I have been involved in the whole project and walked all the walks. It was great fun."

The borough's mayor, Cllr Charlie Treloggan, who joined the launch with the mayoress, Ms Eleanor Carlson, and her grandchildren, said: "This is a fantastic achievement which will help bring some of the most attractive parts of the borough to life for local residents and visitors. Walking is an enjoyable, stress-free way to take regular exercise and I hope that this pack encourages more people of all ages to get out on foot and experience the rich history and environment of the borough."

The ten walks in the pack cover many of the borough's best loved parks and gardens, including Bishops Park, Eel Brook Common and Furnivall Gardens, as well as key buildings, landmarks and points of interest ranging from the former home of artist William Morris, in Hammersmith, to Shepherds Bush Market and the BBC headquarters, in White City. Walkwell also organises four regular walks a week in and around Hammersmith & Fulham, with about 150 people a month taking part.

Packs can be ordered from: Sands End Community Centre, 59-61 Broughton Road, Fulham SW6 2LE. Tel: 020 7736 1724 or email: sandsend@lbhf.gov.uk