PARENTS of babies and toddlers are urged to get walking on the Malvern Hills with a new group.

The local branch of the NCT, the country's biggest parenting charity, is launching Mondays up the Malverns, a friendly family walking group for mums, dads, carers, babies and toddlers.

The group's first walk is on Bank Holiday Monday, August 29, meeting at the Blackhill car park off Jubilee Drive at 10.30am.

Emily Armitage of Malvern Hills NCT said: "The walks are led by volunteers on different routes across the Malvern Hills. We welcome both local mums and dads as well as families visiting on holiday, and you don't need to be an NCT member to come along.

"We are thrilled to have gained a grant from Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to support the new group. We have used the grant to purchase baby slings which will be available for free long-term loan."

David Armitage of the AONB said: "We're so pleased to be able to help new mums and their babies take the tonic of fresh air, exercise and friendship, all in a beautiful landscape."

Mondays up the Malverns will meet every Monday at 10.30am. For more information, see NCT Mondays Up The Malverns on Facebook, or email Coordinator.MalvernHills@nct.org.uk.