The town is the sixth place in Britain to gain the Walkers Are Welcome staus – meaning it's part of a national scheme to raise the profile of great places to walk.

Market Weighton Town Council hope the status will attract more walkers to the area and encourage residents to take advantage of the local countryside.

Councillor Martha Hanson said: "Walkers are Welcome town status is a really exciting endorsement for Market Weighton, recognising the area as a walkers' paradise. The town has a wealth of choice of walks to suit a range of abilities. Walking is fun, not fattening, and free, so everyone can take part."

A working group was set up to work and get the status; the group included interested parties such as the Wolds Way project, Market Towns Renaissance Team and residents, and it was chaired by Coun Hanson.

To get the status a number of criteria had to be met, including 250 signatures in support. Coun Hanson, almost single-handedly, collected 357. The group met all criteria and the town has now been accredited with Walkers Are Welcome status.

A launch event takes place at 10am on Thursday, 20 March at the Half Moon, High Street, Market Weighton.

There will be tea and coffee and information, and the town's mayor, Councillor Marion Frith, will speak at 10.30am and guided walks will set off at:

10.40am - Free minibus to Londesborough, 4 miles, up to two hours.
10.50am - Walk round the town in the footprints of Giant Bradley, up to two hours.
11am - The Goodmanham Loop with Rob Lundie and Robin Gray, up to two hours.
11.20am - Free minibus to Millington and walk back, 9.5 miles, up to four hours.
Places on the walks are limited so people wanting to take part in a walk need to sign up to lists which will be in the Half Moon from 10am.