PEOPLE are being encouraged to work off the extra pounds and do more walking in 2004 - with the help of local artists.

The artists, who are also keen walkers, are displaying their work at Sunnyhurst Wood Visitor Centre, Darwen, throughout January as part of the 2004 Walk This Way programme. The programme runs organised walks in the countryside around Darwen and Blackburn as a way of also promoting East Lancashire.

The five artists from Darwen and Blackburn have produced a collection of photographs and paintings which they have captured during their own country walks and holidays, including landscapes, wildlife and the natural world, in a bid to show people what they may be missing. They will be on display to the public from 1pm to 4.30pm on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays until January 31.

Matt Donnelly, of Gillibrand Street, Darwen, is one of the artists exhibiting his work. He is Blackburn with Darwen Council's health walks leader for Walk This Way but is also a keen photographer and his work brings together his love of the outdoors with his patience to capture the wildlife.

He said: "The Walk This Way programme is aimed at people who wouldn't normally go out walking. We are hoping to keep more people out of the doctor's surgery and enjoying the countryside instead."

Father and son artists Dave and Billy Almond, of Waterside, are also displaying their work. Dave combines his love of the mountains with his artistic eye to compose striking images and Billy uses gouache - a method using opaque colours mixed with water, honey and gum - and specialises in paintings of birds, landscapes and plants.

Nancy Dillon, from the Beechwood area of Blackburn, paints in acrylics and gets her inspiration from landscapes around the world. The fifth artist putting his work on show is Derek Gregory, also from Beechwood, who uses watercolours. He took up painting two years ago.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the 2004 Walk This Way walks programme should contact Matt Donnelly on 01254 694503 or on 07736 029065 for a brochure.