THE Wirral Walking Festival is back this May.

The annual event, co-ordinated by Wirral Sports Development and Active Wirral, offers free walks that are suitable for all ages and abilities, with many accessible to people with limited mobility too.

Fiona Hanik, Wirral Walking Festival Co-ordinator said: "Walking isn’t just great for your health and fitness, it boosts your mental health and is a great way to meet people and explore beautiful parts of Wirral."

All of the walks are free, unless stated below, and most you can just turn up beforehand to take part.

Please note that some require booking ahead.

Here are details of all of the walks:

Sunday, May 7 11am - 1pm:

Arno Walk: Explore Arno Hill and surrounding areas. This walk starts by the play area next to Sainsbury’s petrol station.

This walk is free but book your place by emailing oxtonbooks@yahoo.co.uk or by phoning 07734 558411.

Saturday, May 13 10.30am - 1.30pm:

Heswall Dales & Dungeon Woodland Walk: Join the Rangers for a 5 mile walk that takes in the Dungeon Woodland, Heswall Dales, the Dee Estuary shoreline and the cliffs at Thurstaston.

There are steep hills, uneven ground and it may be muddy, so sturdy footwear is essential. No booking required.

Saturday, May 13 10.45am:

Guided Walk at Flaybrick: Discover fascinating stories of the past residents of Birkenhead on this 90 minute walk. Meet at the chapels. £2.

Visit www.flaybrick.org/guided-walks for more information.

Saturday, May 13 11am - 1pm:

Williamson Walk: Discover how the town the developed in the Claughton and Oxton areas. This walk starts at Williamson Art Gallery.

This walk is free but book your place by emailing oxtonbooks@yahoo.co.uk or by phoning 07734 558411.

Tuesday, May 16 10.30am - 2.30pm:

Parks and Green Spaces of Wallasey Part 1: A 5.5 mile walk between parks and green spaces in the south of Wallasey, including The Delph, the Breck and Central Park. Bring drinks and a packed lunch. Meet outside Wallasey Central Library. For more information email alitherland@virginmedia.com

Wednesday, May 17 6.30pm:

The Neston Collieries: Learn the extraordinary story about sabotage, underground canals and tragedy on this 2.5 mile circular walk with local historian Anthony Annakin-Smith.

Free but booking essential via wirralwalks@btinternet.com.

Friday, May 19 10.30am - 2.30pm:

Parks and Green Spaces of Wallasey Part 2: This 5 mile walk connects the parks and green spaces in the north of Wallasey, including The Gorse Millennium Green, Harrison Park, Elleray Park and Vale Park.

Meet outside Grove Road Station ticket office. For more information, email alitherland@virginmedia.com

Saturday, May 20 11am - 1pm:

East Oxton Walk: Learn about the history of the village and the people who live there on this leisurely guided walk. Meet in the village centre by the post box.

This walk is free but book your place by emailing oxtonbooks@yahoo.co.uk or by phoning 07734 558411.

Saturday, May 27 11am - 1pm:

West Oxton Walk: Learn about the history of the village and the people who live there on this leisurely guided walk.

Meet in the village centre by the post box. This walk is free but book your place by emailing oxtonbooks@yahoo.co.uk or by phoning 07734 558411.

Sunday, May 28 11am - 1pm:

Teddy Bear’s Picnic and Toddler Toddle: A chance for young ones to explore Wirral Country Park at Thurstaston and play some games. Bring your own picnic. Places are limited so book ahead by emailing FionaHanik@wirral.gov.uk.

Monday, May 29 10.30am - 12.30pm:

Trees of Flaybrick Memorial Gardens: Join the Wirral Tree Warden Network for a 3 mile walk around the historic cemetery in Birkenhead, admiring significant trees at their best.

There are some uneven paths so some of the route is not accessible for wheelchair users. For more information email alitherland@virginmedia.com

Tuesday, May 20 10.30am - 12.30pm:

Wildlife of Wirral Country Park: Join the Rangers for a closer look at the wildlife in the park. The 1.5 mile walk will start with pond dipping, before taking in the clifftop meadows and Dawpool Nature Reserve.

This is a family friendly event and accessible to all but booking is essential. Email wcp@wirral.gov.uk

Tuesday, May 30 6pm:

The Most Important Field in Neston: A short one hour walk with local historian Anthony Annakin-Smith, recognising how one field in Neston reflects hundreds of years of the area’s history.

Free but booking essential via www.ticketsource.co.uk/cwaclibraries or at Neston Library.

Wednesday, May 31 10am - 2.30pm:

Ron Williams Memorial Walk: An annual 6.5 mile walk which starts and finishes in Arrowe Country Park, taking in Irby, Thurstaston Common and Royden Park. Bring drinks and a packed lunch. Meet at The Red Rooms Café.

For more information, email thomasjjones1949@gmail.com

Wednesday, May 31 11am - 1pm:

Women of Oxton: Learn about former female residents of Oxton, including suffragettes and the UK’s first warranted female police officer.

This walk starts at Williamson Art Gallery. The walk is free but book your place by emailing oxtonbooks@yahoo.co.uk or by phoning 07734 558411.

Wednesday, May 31 10am - 6.30pm:

Parkgate: Port and Resort: Learn about the rich history of the popular seaside village on this 3.5 mile circular walk with local historian Anthony Annakin-Smith.

Free but booking essential - email wirral-walks@btinternet.com