PEOPLE can get out and about and enjoy the scenery of the New Forest through the last in a series of walking picnics to be held this season.

After a lovely summer and many successful walks, Nigel and Christine Owen are inviting local people and holiday makers alike to make the most of early autumn by joining a Walking Picnic in September, the last month they will be available until next April.

Walking Picnics give people the chance to explore the Forest with Mr Owen, an keen and knowledgeable wildlife enthusiast, and then to enjoy a homemade picnic provided by his wife, with treats such as homemade bread, cakes, pork pies and scotch eggs.

Walks take place every Saturday at 2pm from Abbots Well and every Tuesday at 11am from a range of other locations in the forest and cost £14 for adults and £8 for eight to 16 year olds.

Mrs Owen said: “We have had groups of eight or 10 people on some of our walks, including a group from South Wales and some German holiday makers, as well as a number of local people. “Wildlife sightings have been excellent, with deer and a variety of birds, butterflies and dragonflies seen on most walks. “Everyone has been very complimentary about the picnics and rarely has there been any food left, which is a good sign."

To find out more, or to book a Walking Picnic go to walkingpicnics.co.uk or call 01425 655511.