STAFF from Stourbridge estate agents The Lee, Shaw Partnership will be hitting the trail this weekend to raise money for charity.

Following the introduction of Government restrictions to help reduce the spread of Covid-19, and advice from public health, the decision has been taken to cancel the 40th anniversary Dudley Trail which was due to take place this weekend.

The Hagley Road based estate agents was sponsoring the event and staff from the firm had been fundraising in anticipation of taking part in the walk.

To date they have raised more than £1,000 for Dudley charity Action Heart and, despite the cancellation of the event, they have decided to still dust off their walking boots this Sunday (September 13) and undertake the 13-mile ‘ruby’ route independently.

Councillor David Stanley, the Mayor of Dudley, said it had been a "difficult decision" to cancel the event but it was the "right decision" and he added: "Although we are obviously all very disappointed I am delighted that the event’s sponsor, The Lee, Shaw Partnership, is going to undertake the walk independently to raise much needed funds for Action Heart."

Peter Davenport, principal at The Lee, Shaw Partnership, added: "We hope we will not only raise much needed money for our chosen charity but raise awareness of the struggles now faced by many charities due to the pandemic."

Anyone wishing to sponsor the team can call the firm on 01384 396066.

Members of the public wishing to undertake the six or 13-mile trails on their own can find the walking routes online at himleyhallandpark.co.uk/dudleytrail.