WHEN Barbara joined The Ramblers' Association shortly before her retirement, she had little idea how much it would change her life.

Now Barbara recites the words of Charles Dickens when people ask her what it is that she loves about about walking.

She says: "Charles Dickens put it far better than I can when he once said walk to be happy, walk to be healthy'."

Like many people on their own, Barbara Brooksbank, 67, dreaded, rather than looked forward to, her retirement seven years ago.

Barbara says: "I feared retirement and, being on my own, I feared loneliness."

Fortunately, she had nothing to worry about as her wish to explore the countryside led her to joining her local Ramblers' Association, where she met many people with similar aspirations.

Barbara says: "I knew the countryside I lived in was quite amazing and yet I didn't want to explore it on my own.

"The obvious solution was to find The Ramblers' and walk with them. I now walk with a group of like-minded people three or four times a week, have holidays with the group both here in the UK and abroad and have made so many friends, I don't know how I ever had time to work."

Aside from enjoying spending time with her fellow ramblers, Barbara also enjoys the obvious health benefits of walking regularly.

She explains: "Being close to nature, leaving the crowds and the noise behind, leaves me feeling both healthy and refreshed.

Although it may not seem like serious exercise, medical research shows that brisk walking three to five times a week, for as little as half an hour, can half the chances of contracting coronary heart disease, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

It can also increase bone density, which helps fight osteoporosis, and enhance mental wellbeing, by reducing stress and anxiety.

Walking can also help us to lose weight and with obesity at its highest ever level, it is little wonder that Barbara and her friends have teamed up with the hundreds of other ramblers' groups across the country, to encourage people to walk.

Ways in which walking can be incorporated into your life include getting off the bus a stop earlier, walking around the block at lunchtime, walking the children or offering to take a friend's dog out.

The Ramblers' Association has teamed up with ITV for the Britain on the Move campaign, which will be launched on Sunday Britain's National Day of Walking. Sunday also marks the start of The Ramblers' annual festival the Millet's Welcome To Walking Week.

A spokesman from the Hillingdon branch of the Ramblers' Association told the Times: "You get more out of walking with the Ramblers.

"It's an easy way to get the benefits of walking with-out the need to plan a route, and to enjoy the company of friendly people with similar interests.

"We walk mainly in the Chilterns and in our local area, but sometimes further afield or in London."

If you want to get yourself moving contact the group on 01895 234380 or log on to www.hillingdonramblers.org.uk