Tourists descend on Dorset beach for 'silliest walk' competition

Rex

Hundreds of locals and tourists hit Dorset today to put on the UK's largest ever display of 'silly walking'.

The crowds turned out to Studland beach to take part in Monty Python's Ministry of Silly Walks in the hope of winning a holiday weekend at a National Trust cottage.

Getting the walkers in a silly mood as they set off on their mile-long walk were actors from the Rogue Theatre.

The event was organised in response to an online competition by the National Trust South West to find the nation's 'silliest walkers'.

Over the next few weeks, people of all ages are being encouraged to record themselves 'silly walking', ideally in National Trust-managed landscapes around the country, and upload their videos to be judged.

The winner will receive a weekend in a National Trust holiday cottage and ten runners-up will win family day entry tickets to any National Trust property or grounds.

The National Trust Silly Walking initiative forms part of National Trust One – a new set of 101 downloadable, regional mile-long walks.

The initiative is designed to get people out and about into the local landscape.

Rhona Gardiner from the National Trust told the Bournemouth Echo: 'There are so many amazing places in the South West to explore and experience.

'We want people to discover their own favourites.'

Go to ntsouthwest.co.uk/sillywalks for more information.