BRENDA Prentice is right to highlight the benefits of walking to health and well being and the commercial benefits visiting walkers can bring to an area ('Walking list', Postbag, January 30).

She asks if Taunton can be put on the Walkers are Welcome (WaW) map.

Wiveliscombe became a Walkers are Welcome town in 2009 and we celebrated our 10th anniversary last October with a day of walking, of course!

Dunster, Nether Stowey, Cheddar and Frome are also WaW towns within Somerset.

Walkers are Welcome is a national organisation which aims to help towns and villages become more attractive to walkers by providing information on local walks, maintaining footpaths and facilities for walkers and promoting the health and well being benefits of walking.

Towns can apply to join the WaW network and need to meet six criteria to prove they have broad support from their communities, have a commitment to maintaining the local public footpath network and have the endorsement of their local council.

While Taunton is not a Walkers are Welcome town, it is surrounded by beautiful walking country with a good network of footpaths. There are plenty of walking groups in the area including The Taunton Deane Ramblers, Wivey Walkers and Stowey Walking. Details of all these groups and WaW can be found online.

I moved to this area 2 1\2 years ago and joined Wivey Walkers.

I have made so many friends and have been introduced to so many beautiful areas. I recommend joining a walking group to everyone.

JULIE MITCHELL

Wiveliscombe Walkers are Welcome