Ref. 28016STAFF from the Wiltshire Times will be putting their best foot forward to celebrate the newspaper's 150th birthday and raise money for a good cause.

Around 20 newspaper staff have signed up for the CLIC Canal Challenge on May 30.

Half of the money they raise will go the leukaemia charity CLIC and the rest to the Wiltshire Times 150 Fund, set up as part of this year's birthday celebrations.

The walk takes place along the Kennet & Avon Canal between Bath and Devizes and walkers can choose a seven, 10, 15, or 20-mile route.

Editor Toby Granville has set his employees a challenge and promised to try and complete the 20-mile route.

Frome Rotary Club is organising the event and is taking entries from anyone in west Wiltshire who wants to take part.

Walkers raised £10,600 for charity last year and organiser Andrew Prince is hoping to double that this year.

He said: "It was the first time we ran it last year and we really

didn't know what to expect or how many people would take part but we had about 150 walkers and for a first time that wasn't bad.

"This is ideal as a fundraiser because people can give their sponsorship to CLIC and to a charity of their choice.

"It means a lot of the local charities get to benefit from it.

"One person has already entered to walk from London to the canal, which we think will take them about five days.

"We have people from all over the area taking part, young and old."

Wiltshire Times sales and

marketing manager Louise Keenan said: "We want as many of our readers as possible to come and join us on the day and help us raise money.

"We have just started doing a sponsored slim here at the office so the walk will fit in well with helping some of us shed those extra pounds and raise more money.

"It's all very well us asking for our readers to support us with fundraising this year but we have to put our money where our mouths are and give this walk our best shot."