The sun was shining down on The Swindon Lions charity walk a year after it was cancelled due to foot and mouth.

Around 50 people took part in the walk designed to raise money for local charities.

Each walker nominated their own charity and then tried to raise as much sponsorship as they could.

The course was split into two a longer walk of eight miles starting from Scotby Avenue and a shorter walk of however many laps Coate Water walkers could manage.

Steve Austin, 52, chairman of the Lions' activities committee said the attendance was down on previous years but it was a good turnout nonetheless.

"People seem to have lost the momentum a little after last year's walk was cancelled because of foot and mouth," he said.

"But I am glad to see people still wanting to take part. We normally walk in May but the weather was glorious. Probably better than it would have been earlier in the year."

The Lions' secretary, Peter Kennewell, from Okus, said: "This sponsored walk is good because people are able to raise money for whatever charity they wish.

"So we might have walkers for Cancer Research or Oxfam, or smaller local groups in the community. And none of the money goes to the organisation, it all goes to charity."

The Lions' are now busy totting up the sponsorship raised yesterday.