FANS of legendary fellwalker Alfred Wainwright are today launching a campaign to have his Pennine Journey route designated a National Trail in his honour.

The Pennine Journey Supporters Club wants to see the 247-mile circular route - from Settle to Hadrian's Wall and back again - achieve the same status as the likes of the Cotswold Way, Pennine way and Hadrian's Wall Path.

"We invite all Wainwright admirers to join us and help us to make this tribute a reality," said club publicity officer David Pitt, of Bampton, near Shap.

"It is high time one of Kendal's greatest adopted sons should get the recognition his sterling efforts in the field of long-distance walking deserve."

The club hopes to achieve its goal before September 2028, the 90th anniversary of Wainwright setting off from Settle. It has broached the idea with the National Trail authorities, who said nothing would be possible while they were still working on the England Coast Path and completing the Pennine Bridleway. However, they said the club could have "aspirations towards National Trail status”.

To promote the campaign, geographer Peter Burgess has designed a map similar to his popular Tubular Fells map, showing Wainwright's 214 fells in a style akin to the London Underground map.

Anyone who wishes to support the campaign can do so by joining the Pennine Journey Supporters Club at www.penninejourney.org.uk/supporters-club