BIG-HEARTED walkers can join The Citizen in supporting the British Heart Foundation's sponsored walk to raise funds in its 40th anniversary year.

The annual Walkabout UK -- the fundraising walk held by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) -- will take place in Blackpool on September 16 this year and will be officially supported by The Citizen.

The walk will start at 11am at the De Vere Hotel on East Park Drive and will take in the three miles around Heron's Reach, or for those with more energy, will continue for a further three miles around Stanley Park.

Walkers can be sponsored for either the whole walk or by the mile, and dog owners are encouraged to get their dogs sponsored and let them join in the walk.

This year is the 40th anniversary of the BHF, which was founded in 1961 by a group of medical specialists with a single donation of £50.

It is now the leading heart charity in the UK, funding research, patient care and education initiatives.

To get a sponsorship form, phone Carole Gemson, BHF Lancashire Area Organiser, on (01254) 878321.

And watch this space for further BHF stories and information in the coming weeks.