WHITCHURCH was officially crowned a ‘walkers haven’ last weekend.

The community was presented with its ‘Walkers are Welcome’ status on Saturday at a presentation held inside the town hall.

Attending were representatives from the Whitchurch Association who led the project to obtain the national title, awarded to towns and villages across the country which provide an ideal place for ramblers to walk.

Whitchurch is the first community in both the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Test River Valley to receive the title, which provides benefits for tourism in the town.

Mayor of Whitchurch, Barry Jackman, and wife, Mayoress Sandra Jackman, accepted the title on behalf of the town.

Cllr Jackman said: “With the Walkers are Welcome in Whitchurch accreditation now gained the economic benefits should be much increased and we look forward to working in close partnership with other Walkers are Welcome groups.”

Also represented on the day were travel providers, South West Trains, who endorsed the bid.

Cllr Jackman thanked all of the groups for their efforts in obtaining the status for Whitchurch.