Join Ben Fogle on Downs walk

Ben Fogle will be celebrating the Government's decision to award National Park status to this special area.

Ben Fogle said: "It is wonderful news that the South Downs will become a National Park. I will be celebrating the Government's decision on a beautiful walk with the Campaign for National Parks and the South Downs Society.

"I have many happy memories of walks in the South Downs and I am delighted that this area will now get the protection it deserves.

"It is fitting that we are celebrating this on the 60th anniversary of the Act which originally set up National Parks in this country. A South Downs National Park is long overdue and I should like to congratulate everyone who has worked over many years to secure this success."

John Songhurst, from the South Downs Society, who will be joining Ben on the walk, said: "The National Park cannot start work too soon to restore ancient and rare habitats, improve access and roll out educational projects for the public, and remove the eyesores which today litter the South Downs. As we know, money is tight, but to do this important job effectively, the National Park must have an adequate budget."

The public are invited to join Ben Fogle on the walk, which is free and is being organised jointly by the Campaign for National Parks and the South Downs Society. These organisations are part of the South Downs Campaign which has done so much to achieve the protection the South Downs deserves.

The walk is 5.5 miles, and starts from Amberley Station at 11am.

Those wishing to join in should contact Liz Wall on 020 7924 4077 x223. Walkers should wear sturdy shoes, and bring a drink and a bite to eat and a mac in case it rains.

The walk will take in The Burgh, and the North Stoke Suspension Bridge, repaired recently by the Gurkhas.

The walkers will climb to the viewpoint at Amberley Mount, from where they will look down on the superb grazing marshes of Amberley Wildbrooks, and the Western Weald, a spectacular area which was included in the National Park thanks to the efforts of the South Downs Campaign.

The walk is officially supported by the West Sussex Gazette.