TV presenter Clare Balding swapped Aintree for the Allen Valleys when she strolled into the district last week.

The horse racing anchor walked a five-mile stretch of Isaac’s Tea Trail, a picturesque route through the North Pennines, named after Mohope-born tea trader Isaac Holden.

Clare and her broadcasting colleague, the recently-retired BBC Newcastle radio presenter Anne Leuchars, took in features of the trail, including Isaac Holden’s historic Hearse House, at Ninebanks.

The pair were joined by local historian Roger Morris, and Andy Lees, of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Beauty Partnership, who both play an active role in the attractions and their upkeep.

Mrs Lees said the purpose of the visit was to raise awareness of the trail and other historic features in the Allen Valleys, which are part of the partnership’s Allen Valleys Landscape Scheme.

He added: “It was a pleasure to be able to show Clare around the Allen Valleys. Luckily we had great weather for the walk which, of course, shows off this landscape at its best.

“The tea trail and Hearse House are both important historical elements of the area and there’s a great story behind them, which is why we felt it was necessary to make them part of our Allen Valleys Partnership Scheme.”

The group walked a five-mile stretch of the route to the Hearse House from Keenley Methodist Chapel.

Clare was also joined on the walk by a producer for her Radio 4 programme, Ramblings with Clare Balding. Isaac’s Tea Trail is set to feature on the programme on Thursday, March 23, after the 3pm news, and repeated on Sunday, March 26, at 6am.