THE organiser of this year's Pendle Walking Festival said the event was a huge success - despite the poor weather - with visitors from as far afield as Australia, Canada and Italy.

John Belbin said numbers taking part were more than 50 per cent up on last year with almost 1,000 people walking over the four days.

He said: "Despite the poor weather on Sunday the fourth Pendle Walking Festival has proved to be a huge success with the numbers enjoying Pendle's beautiful countryside higher than in any previous year.

"Beating the Bounds in Barnoldswick proved to be the best supported with 60 walkers but many others were not far behind that figure.