AS May marks National Walking Month people are being asked to #Try20 as part of their daily exercise.

While Halton Borough Council's health walks are on hold during the coronavirus pandemic, people can still get out for a walk to clear to provide some light relief.

The #Try20 is a walk for 20 minutes every day as part of your daily exercise and to see what benefits you experience.

Halton Borough Council's Executive Board Member for Sport Councillor Phil Harris said: "Walking is a fantastic way to keep active and maintain health.

"It’s free, flexible, it’s open to all levels of fitness and you don’t need any expensive equipment to do it. "

Sports Development Officer Paula Parle added: "Walking is also great if you are trying to lose weight; a brisk 30-minute walk could burn 150 calories."

"If you need some motivation to get started or keep going why not set yourself a goal or use a walking app to track and record your routes."

Living Streets has #Try20 for tips to keep you motivated at: https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/national-walking-month-2020.

The Walking for Health organisation also has a section on its webpage with guidance for walking with certain health conditions: https://www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/get-walking/walking-health-conditions, and a competition/step challenge #RoamSweetHome to help keep you motivated. Steps can be taken anywhere, even in and around the home.

Why not send your pictures to the walking for health facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Walking-for-Health-Halton-482818178431169/.

You can find local walking routes in your area by visiting: https://activehalton.co.uk/walking/.

If you are self-isolating and not able to walk around your home or garden, check the council's webpage for ideas to stay active including chair-based exercise: https://activehalton.co.uk/staying-active-at-home-during-covid-19/ or contact Paula Parle on: 0151 511 8550.

A 20 minute walk has been shown to reduce the risk of a number of preventable health conditions including heart disease, depression, certain cancers, sleep problems and type 2 diabetes.