A GREEN walk and talk programme will start this afternoon which will give walkers the chance to meet new friends and experience the Manx countryside.

The initiative, run by the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure's Sport Development Unit, will start in Ballaugh this afternoon.

It will continue weekly on a Friday and there will be seven routes which will cover all areas of the Island. The 2011 programme includes 22 walks.

Gianni Epifani, sport development officer, said: "Every year the green walk and talk continues to grow. However without the assistance of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture and the Department of Infrastructure, which offer access to land and rights away, the walks could not take place.

"The Department of Health, Public Health Directorate, also continues to support all walk and talk sessions. Their valuable support assists the delivery of all walk and talk sessions."

Minister David Cretney MHK said: "We are all very aware of the benefits of exercise, and through the department's green walk and talk programme you can experience the Island's fantastic countryside and enjoy the health benefits walking gives. The walk and talk sessions also offer a great opportunity to meet new friends."   

All routes will take approximately one hour to complete and are relatively flat. Each session will start at 1.30pm and will conclude with refreshments. All walks cost £1.50.

For a copy of the Green Walk and Talk booklet, which outlines details of all the walks and the meeting points, please contact Sport Development Officer, Gianni Epifani on 01624 688556 or e-mail Gianni.epifani@gov.im.