A FESTIVAL of walks and guided tours is being expanded in 2009 following the success of this year’s event.

Organisers of the Bowland Festival said this June’s week-long series of events was so popular that it would be spread throughout next year in order to bring more people to the Forest of Bowland.

The initiative was spearheaded by the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and aims to promote wildlife and conservation in the area.

Susan MacDonald of the AONB said: “The Bowland Festival showcased what is special about the area. We still want to have this but we thought we would have it across the year.

“It will mean that people can come at all times of year and see what the Forest of Bowland has to offer.”

During June’s event, visitors were able to go on ‘moorland safaris’ led by workers from the RSPB and United Utilities to look at how the moorland was managed. It also looked into the bird-life of the moors, especially the endangered hen harriers which breed in the area.

There was even a guide by a Natural England specialist who tagged the hen harriers to keep tabs on the birds.

Susan added: “It also showed what people who worked in the area were doing. There were farm walks and events in order to highlight what they do and how important their work is, both with animals and how their efforts help preserve wildlife in the area.”

A list of events is currently being created and will be released in the new year.

See the website below for more information.