Yellowhammer photo: Mark Walters

After the success of the War Horse walking route, West Lancashire Borough Council is working with Aughton's Gorse Hill Nature Reserve to re-launch another of the Borough's popular walks, The Yellowhammer walking route.

It's a great reason to get out and about in Ormskirk this summer, boasting stunning views of Lancashire and Sefton and helping you discover the area’s wonderful public rights of way network.

To celebrate the re-launch a FREE guided walk of the route has been organised for Sunday 4 August, starting at 11am from Ormskirk Train Station car park which has two options:

·Take the guided walk from the station to Gorse Hill Nature Reserve. Enjoy drinks and refreshments and hear from reserve volunteers about their work, then walk the remainder of the Yellowhammer Route back to Ormskirk, led by the Council's Countryside Rangers. Distance approximately 7 miles

Or

·Take the guided walk from the station to Gorse Hill Nature Reserve, stop for refreshments and hear from reserve volunteers. Led by the volunteers you can walk around part of the reserve which is often closed to the public. From here you can return to Ormskirk at your leisure. Distance approximately 5 miles.

The Yellowhammer walking guide has been re-produced by the Council so walkers can follow the route at their leisure. Copies are available from the Council Offices; The Customer Service Point at the Concourse, Skelmersdale; Ormskirk Library; Gorse Hill Nature Reserve and Southport Eco Centre and available to download from DiscoverOrmskirk.com.

Su Haselton, Gorse Hill Nature Reserve volunteer, said: "We are delighted to work with the Council to re-launch the Yellowhammer Walking Route, which showcases some of the area's most spectacular views. At the reserve we have created a diverse habitat for local wildlife from a prairie landscape and we look forward to welcoming visitors on the guided walk to our centre.

Added Cllr Ian Moran, Leader of West Lancashire Borough Council and portfolio holder for Regeneration: "We are delighted to support the re-launch of another popular walk which attracts walkers and visitors to West Lancashire. The Council is pleased to be working with volunteers at Gorse Hill Nature Reserve, which features this wonderful guided walk."

Although there is no need to book for the walk it would be helpful for the organisers to know numbers. Please contact the Council on 01695 712645 from 9am-5pm orevents@discoverormskirk.com if you are interested.

Car Parking is available at Ormskirk Station. Walkers should arrive 15 minutes before departure time, wearing suitable footwear and clothing. This walk is fairly level with some gentle gradients and uneven footpaths. Children under the age of 16 should be accompanied by an adult. Details of other walks, cycle rides and events in West Lancashire can be found atwww.DiscoverOrmskirk.com; like us on Facebook and Instagram @DiscoverOrmskirk.