A RELAY of walkers is covering the new 60 mile Sandlings Walk to mark its official launch.The path links many heaths between Southwold and Ipswich.The walk began on Friday as the Mayor of Southwold and members of the town council were joined by children from the local primary school on the first stage, accompanied by drummers from the Southwold Core of Drums.

A RELAY of walkers is covering the new 60 mile Sandlings Walk to mark its official launch.

The path links many heaths between Southwold and Ipswich.

The walk began on Friday as the Mayor of Southwold and members of the town council were joined by children from the local primary school on the first stage, accompanied by drummers from the Southwold Core of Drums.

The baton was passed to St Felix School children and Walberswick parish councillors.

By Sunday, July 14, hundreds of walkers will have joined in along the route, including children from Knodishall, Hollesley primary, Sandlings primary, Woodbridge primary and Gorseland schools, as well as parish and town councillors and members of local interest groups.

All of them are included on the roll of honour which is inside the specially made reed baton.

The Sandlings Walk was created as part of a £500,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund given to continue the protection and management of the Sandlings heaths.

Peter Ross, interpretation officer with the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Project, said: "We are pleased that these groups will be helping us to celebrate the launch of the Sandlings Walk. The Suffolk Sandlings heaths are very special being one of Britain's rarest wildlife habitats. Along the walk we hope people will discover the rare wildlife, as well as the beautiful scenery and lots of history. Maybe a nightjar perched quite still on a pine branch, Dunwich Heath in flower on a sunny, summer's day or an ancient mound, perhaps the site of a burial."