BURLEY-IN-WHARFEDALE is now represented on a tapestry that has been created to celebrate the national Walkers are Welcome movement.

Sylvia Robinson from Burley has recently finished a tapestry square showing off some of the highlights of the village, just in time for the tapestry it to go on show in Wharfedale as part of Otley Walking Festival.

The square will be attached to the tapestry, which already profiles the charms of more than 100 villages and towns that are part of the growing countrywide network which promotes and celebrates all things to do with walking.

Chairman of the Burley Walkers Are Welcome group, David Asher, said: "We are launching a new long distance footpath which will link Burley, Otley, Baildon and Bingley at 9.30am on Saturday June 25, at Otley Parish Church, on the first day of the Otley Walking Festival. We had arranged to display the national tapestry at the launch, but realised that Burley was not currently represented.

"Fortunately Sylvia came to the rescue and has produced a beautiful work of art for us. It is bang up to date as it even shows the newly renovated Fountain of Life which the Burley Community Trust recently installed on the corner of Main Street and Station Road."

The new footpath is called ‘The Welcome Way’ in recognition that this is the first collaborative project of its kind nationally, developed jointly by neighbouring Walkers are Welcome groups in Burley, Otley, Baildon and Bingley.

A 50 page route guide will shortly be published and be available to purchase from outlets in Burley and the other communities.

The Welcome Way will be launched by Kate Ashbrook, Patron of Walkers are Welcome, President of Ramblers, and General Secretary of the Open Spaces Society. Mr Asher added: "We hope to show off Sylvia’s handiwork at our upcoming AGM on Tuesday May 17, 7.30pm at the Red Lion. We will also be presenting Information about the Welcome Way with representatives of the different communities that have contributed to the route also present. Everyone is warmly welcomed to attend what will be an informal and interesting meeting for everyone interested in walking."