YOU can show your gratitude for the heroes who have helped us through the pandemic so far at the Taunton Vale Rotary Canal Challenge.

People are being urged to walk, cycle or paddle for fun and for charity along the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal on Sunday, July 4.

It's all part of the National Thank Yo Day and will help support people in need.

Taunton Vale Rotary Club president Tony Blackshaw said: "Join us helping some of those who have really struggled throughout this last year and a half.

"Our Canal Challenge is a family fun cycle, walk or paddle to the Sun and beyond."

The reference to the Sun is a nod to the Somerset Space Walk, a scale model of our solar system along the canal towpath.

Teams of one or two families or up to six from different households can walk, cycle or paddle from Firepool in Taunton to either Maunsell Lock (seven miles) or continue all the way Bridgwater Docks.

There will then be a shuttle bus service for walkers to get back to Taunton. A safe road route back to Taunton will be provided for cyclists wanting to cycle a loop.

Mr Blackshaw added: "It’s free for children and just a £5 entry for adults, though we hope teams will raise sponsorship or make an extra donation to our charities, Young Somerset and Nightstop."

All walkers and cyclists will have the option to take to the water for a short distance, courtesy of the Somerset Boat Centre, which is offering a free, supervised taster session on either a paddleboard or canoe to all registered entrants.

Young entrants will all receive an information sheet which will help with spotting wildlife and other sights along the canal. There’s even a canal themed word search.

The event has been designed to be Covid safe.

All teams must pre-register, which allows them access to reserved, free parking at Firepool, a chance to take part in the water activity at North Newton and a place on the shuttle bus.

Further details are available at tauntonvalerotary.org.uk/canal-challenge