Around 2,700 hardy walkers put their best feet forward for charity on Sunday morning as part of the KM Shepherd Neame sponsored walk.

Families from all over Kent met at Charing racecourse off the A20 at 8am and set off an 11-mile circular walk in aid of all 11 Kent hospices.

Walkers, young and the slightly older, registered in the KM tent where they also picked up some free provisions - donated by Straithmore Water and United Biscuits - and even paused for a breakfast bacon roll and tea or coffee before their long march.

Walkers set off accompanied by the stirring sounds of the bagpipes from Staff Sergeant Kenny Kerr of the Military Provost Guard Service, based in Chatham. Twenty-seven of his colleagues were also on hand to help as markers.

Sgt Kerr said: "I've been doing this for the past four or five years at these walks and it certainly seems to spur people on."

Louise Hopkins, marketing co-ordinator with Shepherd Neame, said: "This is our 13th walk and it is in aid of the Kent hospices, including the newest one - the 11th - Harris House in Bromley. We change the route every year and people enjoy that."

A couple of pubs were marked out on the route as stops and everyone who took part was rewarded with a certificate and a free pint of Shepherd Neame beer - or a tea or coffee or soft drink - at the end.