A special guided walk will follow in the footsteps of the postmen and postwomen who used to deliver post on foot or by bike across the Cumbrian countryside.

Part of Ravenglass Railway Museum's ongoing exhibition, Walks from Ratty, the walk will be led by local historian, Alan Cleaver, following on from his research into postal paths.

Mr Cleaver said: "Rural postmen and women often walked or cycled many miles a day in all weathers to deliver the post.

"Today all deliveries are by van.

"They were tough walks, but through some of the most beautiful parts of the Cumbrian countryside.

"I'll be sharing the routes and revealing more about the people who walked them."

The exhibition of which Mr Cleaver's guided walk forms a part, Walks from Ratty, takes its name from the book written and illustrated by Alfred Wainwright in 1978.

Mr Wainwright's book compiled walks that could be enjoyed from the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, affectionately known as Ratty.

The exhibition features Mr Wainwright's pictorial routes, as well as the routes that were once walked daily by rural postal workers.

Mr Cleaver's guided walk follows a series of guided walks that were offered earlier in the summer by members of The Wainwright Society, which sponsors the exhibition.

Mr Cleaver's walk is free of charge, though donations to the museums are welcome.

The walk will take place on Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 15, meeting at Dalegarth Station for an 11.30am start.

To book places, contact Mr Cleaver at alanjcleaver@gmail.com.

More information about Ravenglass Railway Museum is available at www.ravenglassrailwaymuseum.co.uk.