A walk on the weird side . . .

Rotherham’s annual Walking Festival is offering intrepid adventurers the chance to learn about some of the town’s most spooky goings-on with a special ghouly Ghost Walk.

The town centre has a history dating back nearly 2,000 years, so it is no wonder the odd creepy experience has been reported.

And on Thursday, May 13, at 7.30pm, Ian Sharpe from the Far Out Theatre Company will be taking visitors on a walk highlighting the spectres and phantoms of Rotherham.

The terrifying tour will take in the Chapel on the Bridge, which is rumoured to have held Mary, Queen of Scots, for a short while, and the haunting visage of Boston Castle.

Tickets for the walk are on sale now from Rotherham Visitor Centre priced at £5 (concessions £3). Organisers said that booking in advance was essential.

For those that want to enjoy the beautiful countryside of the borough minus the ghosts, a host of walks with a mixture of different experiences for all tastes, has also been arranged for the phenomenally popular festival.

This year's Rotherham Walking Festival, which takes place from May 8 to 16, and is organised by Rotherham Borough Council, offers a programme with a difference, with a mixture of different walking experiences for all tastes.

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For those wanting to take walking to another level, an introductory  workshop to race walking for both children and adults will give winning walkers the opportunity to have a go at the exciting Olympic sport.

Football fans can even get in on the action as Rotherham United will be offering an easy walk alongside some of their current squad.

A chance to raise funds for local charities will be available via walks for Bluebell Wood Hospice, Bosom Buddies, Gamma Scanner Appeal and the charities chosen by the Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Shaukat Ali.

The Trans-Pennine Trail celebrates its 21st anniversary this year and to celebrate the fact, a walk along the trail is being organised by the authority's public rights of way service.

The festival is supported by a number of volunteer Walk Leaders and Walking Groups from the local area, including the popular walks of the Five Churches and Six Churches routes.

Events and promotions officer, Dawn Campbell, said: “The range of people who look forward to the Walking Festival coming around each year is amazing.

“Rotherham has so much beautiful countryside which can be enjoyed by all ages and the festival really reflects that.

“The festival has so many highlights this year that it is hard to pick a particular one, but we expect the Ghoolie Ghost Walk through town to be particularly popular.

“In past years we have had thousands of people join us for the festival and we are hoping that 2010 will be the most popular ever."

Easy, moderate and hard walks are available in the morning, afternoon, evening and at weekends and range from one to 25 miles for all to enjoy and take at their own pace.

Contact the Rotherham Visitor Centre on 01709 835904 for more information.