Dame Fiona Reynolds the director-general of the National Trust has visited the White Cliffs of Dover to launch the charity’s first-ever nationwide Festival of Walking.

She led a two-mile ramble from Langdon Cliffs to the South Foreland Lighthouse at St Margaret’s with district council officers, Janet Alcock from the lighthouse and Dr Katie Tryon from festival sponsor PruHealth.

Dame Fiona said: ‘I am delighted to be at the White Cliffs to launch our inaugural Walking Festival. The cliffs are one of this country’s most spectacular natural features and have been a symbol of hope and freedom for centuries. What better place to celebrate the British outdoors?

"We all live such busy lives and access to nature and fresh air is more important than ever. The National Trust is more than country houses and cream teas; we own over 700 miles of coastline and thousands of square miles of countryside."

The walking event aims to encourage people to get outdoors and be closure to nature. It continues nationwide until Sunday and more details are available atwww.nationaltrust.org.uk/walkingfestival

* South Foreland Lighthouse is open for school half-term visitors and trails start at 11am and 3.30pm daily until Friday.