The month of May is when we're expected to put our best foot forward and take a healthy walk.

Cheshire East Council is urging residents to take some walking exercise and contribute to improved air quality and the environment as part of the 'Walk This May' national campaign. 

This means walking to work or school, where possible, to the shops, or enjoying a long walk in one of our many green open spaces, parks, or nature reserves.

People of all ages in the borough are being urged to step into their best walking shoes and take a 20-minute walk each day, at least. The council is encouraging everyone, especially over short trips, to swap their cars for a walk, instead.

Not only is this good for personal health and wellbeing but helps to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality.

School children will also be encouraged to walk to school, where they can, when 'Walk To School Week' is marked from 15–19 May. 

Cheshire East Council's interim director of environment and neighbourhoods, Tom Shuttleworth, said: "Twenty minutes out of the day to take a brisk, healthy walk, is a simple way to improve both physical and mental health, reducing the risk of several preventable health conditions. We recognise that not everyone can do this, but whatever form of exercise we can take on a regular basis has to be a good thing.  

"Also, you can Show the Air You Care by leaving the car at home and taking some outdoor exercise, instead. There are many personal health, even financial, benefits to doing this. You're contributing to our campaign to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion, while saving money.

"Supporting this campaign positively connects with the work the council is doing towards its target of becoming carbon neutral by 2025. We would like people to ask themselves – 'Do I really need to drive on this occasion?' Leaving the car at home contributes significantly to reducing our carbon footprint.

 "The council is promoting active and healthy lifestyles and walking is not just good for us on a personal level, but is good for the environment, too. So, let's show the air we care."

Walking month is the #WALKTHISMAY campaign run by the charity Living Streets