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Last Updated: Sunday, 12 September, 2004, 11:14 GMT 12:14 UK
Peak park celebration for walkers
Hundreds of people have walked across the Peak District moors to celebrate a new right of access to open country on National Walking Day.

Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael MP joined ramblers, open access campaigners and countryside groups in Derbyshire on Sunday.

They started at Derbyshire Bridge, in the park's Goyt Valley.

The event marked a new right to walk freely across new areas of open access land in England.

'Beautiful scenery'

Mr Michael said before the walk: "This will be a very special day for everyone who loves our countryside.

"For the first time, people will be able to enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery that was once off-limits."

Tony Hams, OBE, chair of the Peak District National Park Authority, said: "The Peak District has a long association with the access campaign - from the 1930s trespasses, through pioneering access agreements with landowners in the 1950s, right up to the present day with the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

"We are delighted and honoured to be the first National Park to benefit from the new access to open country."




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