Walkers take to the sands of Morecambe Bay during the event

Walkers led by a royal guide helped boost a conservation charity’s funds by almost £5,000.

The Queen’s Official Guide to the Sands Cedric Robinson joined 250 people in a walk across Morecambe Bay to raise cash for the Friends of the Lake District.

Mr Robinson has been leading walks across the sands of the bay for more than 50years. It is the biggest expanse of tidal mudflats and sand in the UK.

Sophie Hodge, fundraising officer at Friends of the Lake District, said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better response to our sponsorship event or a more enthusiastic group of supporters.

“The sight of everybody in their blue Friends of the Lake District t-shirts really brightened up the day and we like to think it kept the rain away.

“I’m happy to report that the efforts of participants and the generosity of supporters has helped to raise nearly £5,000 for Friends of the Lake District.

“We’re a membership organisation and we rely on our members and the general public to support the valuable work that we do.

“We’re very grateful for every individual who participated and did their bit to protect the wonderful county of Cumbria that we are lucky enough to live in.”

Participants from as far afield as Kent and Great Yarmouth made the trip to Arnside, Lancashire to walk the sands, wade the waters and cross the bay, finishing at Kents Bank near Grange-over-Sands.