THE diehards who turn out for Haltwhistle’s twice yearly walking festival have a habit of huddling round their keyboards when the next programme is due out.

As a result, the favoured long-distance walks often sell out within hours as they hit ‘enter’, their slots bagged!

The prized places on the up and coming spring festival are for the four-day, 55-mile circular route entitled Allendale and Beyond .

Punters will pass through Shorngate Cross, Langdon Beck and Ashgill on their way. Those walks are, indeed, already sold out and waiting lists are up and running.

There are still places available on some of the other long-distance walks, though, such as the 12-mile yomps entitled Waterfall , Wagonway & Wighams, which goes through Plenmeller, Unthank and Todhill Wood, and the Jolly Drovers walk via Rotheryhaugh.

But for those of a more literary or artistic bent, there’s a plethora of shorter, interest walks on offer too.

Photography, singing, woodland birds and the prisoner of war camp that once stood at Featherstone are all on the bill, as is the fabled Black Cat of Tynedale

That particular 12-mile walk around Corbridge will be devoted to separating fact from fiction as participants follow in the footsteps of the last reported sighting.

All in all, there are 25 walks, two farmhouse teas and a jolly good knees up at the Comrades’ Club on offer during the 10 days of the festival.

The New Year greeted a new team at the helm who have taken over from festival stalwarts Tony and Marie Miller.

After 14 years helping to steer the good ship, the couple are taking a well-earned break to visit more far-flung climes.

Geoff Chrisp, Ann Potter and Audrey Urwin – all familiar festival faces – have now joined the organising committee.

The festival will run from April 23 till May 2. Further information can be found on the website at www.haltwhistlewalkingfestival.org