Glorious weather and some star-power have helped the 10th Otley Walking Festival get off to a flying start.

Festival members, people from Otley Walkers are Welcome (WAW) and town mayor Councillor Ray Smith were among those who gathered in Manchester Square to see Janet Street-Porter launch the event.

She also launched a new long-distance trek devised by WAW, the Six Dales Trail from Otley to Middleham – and waved off the 34 walkers as they set off.

This year’s nine-day event has more walks and events than ever before, and festival chairman Ruth Blackwell is delighted with how it has gone so far.

She said: “The launch went well – Janet Street-Porter was excellent.

“From all feedback we’ve had so far, the festival is going really well with people taking advantage of the great variety of walks, and helped by the good weather.

“The new Six Dales Trail was launched to great aplomb and all 34 people completed the walk over the two days. It culminated in the cutting of a celebration cake, representing ten years of Otley Walking Festival and the launch of the trail.”