Walk to mark new Wall trail

The wall runs from the west of Cumbria to Wallsend

The chief executive of the Countryside Agency is making an 84-mile walk along the new, unbroken, Hadrian's Wall National Trail on Monday.

Richard Wakeford is completing the journey ahead of the new attraction's formal opening on Friday.

It is the first time that walkers will be able to make one unbroken journey along Hadrian's Wall, thanks to investment totalling £6m.

The Countryside Agency hopes that the new National Trail will not only bring in more tourists, but support the rural economy along the wall.

Richard Wakeford began his journey in Bowness on Solway, and is scheduled to reach Wallsend by the end of the week.

But there will also be other celebrations along the length of the Wall.

Part of that involves schoolchildren in Bowness on Solway, escorted by Roman soldiers, presenting an "offering to the Gods" and listening to a number of commemorative speeches.