The joys of the Suffolk countryside are being made more accessible to parents with young children following the launch of a new rambling group.

Waveney PRamblers was set up by Bungay mum Laura Myatt, 36, with the aim of attracting the next generation of walkers.

She has planned a series of short, sociable walks for parents with children under two, who can be carried in slings or travel in prams or buggies.

Mrs Myatt, who has a six-month-old daughter Thea, said: “There are lots of nice things for people to do inside with their babies but there are not many outdoor activities when babies are very young.

“Some of the playgroups are too much for them so you don’t get the opportunity to socialise with other parents.

“Walking gives you a chance to chat with other parents and babies love fresh air. It seems like it was missing from the things that were available to do.”

Mrs Myatt has completed all of the walks already with her husband to check they are appropriate for parents and young children.

Included in the information for each walk are details of toilets and changing facilities and the suitability of each route for prams, buggies or babies in slings.

She added: “One of the things that puts people off is not knowing if they might encounter stiles or other obstacles.

“I have checked out the routes with my husband to share them with people and reassure them that they are quite safe.”

Mrs Myatt said her aim was also to get more young people walking, as ramblers groups were often associated with older people.

Mary Shaheen, of Waveney and District Ramblers, said the group’s committee was delighted to be approached by Mrs Myatt with the PRamblers idea.

She added: “We had often discussed how to share our pleasure in walking with younger people but were still tending to attract mainly retired people. Here was a great way forward.”

If the walks are successful, more will be planned in the future.

For full details of the walks and start points, visit www.waveneyramblers.org.uk and go to events.