A 159-mile trek around the boundary of the Lake District is being staged to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Park's voluntary wardens.

National Park Officer Paul Tiplady will get the walk rolling on Friday, June 4, leading ten volunteers on the first 15-mile stage of a cross country marathon on footpaths, bridleways and minor roads.

Former voluntary warden chairman Derek Tunstall explained the boundary walk was the perfect way of commemorating the organisation's half century and publicising a new era for volunteering - as the Lake District Volunteers Service.

"We wanted to raise public awareness of the service by inviting people to join the walk on any of the days and see warden/rangers in action," he said. "We have involved Lowick and Caldbeck schools and organised working parties en route."

Three activity days include footpath maintenance, stream clearance, culvert cleaning and coppicing are planned throughout the event.

To be completed in ten days, the hike will use the following daily starting points: * June 4, Murley Moss, Kendal, 10am.

* June 5, Castle Head Field Centre, near Grange-over-Sands,8.30am.

* June 6, Fell End Bunk Barn, near Broughton-in-Furness, 8am.

* June 7, Bootle Church, 9.30am.

* June 8, Gosforth Bunk Barn, 8.30am.

* June 9, Lamplugh Church, 9am.

* June 10, Armathwaite Hotel entrance, 8.30am.

* June 11, Hudscales Bunk Barn, near Caldbeck, 8.30am.

* June 12, Askham Post Office, 9am.

* June 13, High Borrow Bridge, Hucks Bridge, near Selside, 9am.

The Voluntary Wardens Service was formed in 1954 by a dedicated team of 15, determined to clear the Lake District of litter. There are now 304 volunteers.