STOWEY Walking group celebrated being awarded the national ‘Walkers Are Welcome’ accreditation for the villages of Nether Stowey and Over Stowey with a reception for invited guests including councillors, supporters and sponsors at Quantock Tea Room in Nether Stowey.

Welcoming guests and fellow steering group members, chair of Stowey Walking, Lynne Abbott, thanked all those who had supported the bid for accreditation including the two Parish Councils, Sedgemoor District Council and The Quantock Hills AONB.

She also thanked Somerset County Council which had replaced several stiles on the footpath between the two villages - one of the walks that feature on the group’s newly created website along with other information about the group, guided walks for downloading and places of interest in the area.

“We are delighted to have gained this accreditation for our villages as it will encourage more people to come here to enjoy the wonderful countryside and in turn that will bring more business into the villages,” said Mrs Abbott.