Ian Keys, a 71-year-old walking enthusiast from Shepton Mallet, celebrated National Walking Month by trekking more than 200km across the scenic Mendip Hills last month.

This impressive achievement comes just 18 months after Ian underwent a crucial hip replacement, without which his walking days might have been severely limited.

National Walking Month, an initiative by the charity Living Streets, promotes walking as a simple way to boost health and strengthen community ties. The campaign encourages people to choose walking over transport for local trips, highlighting its benefits in combating loneliness and fostering connections.

Ian and his wife, Amanda, embraced the challenge, averaging seven kilometres daily through local landscapes and the historic hills.

However, Ian's journey to this point was not without its hurdles. Two years ago, his ability to walk was nearly halted by severe hip pain. Faced with a long NHS waitlist for hip surgery, Ian opted for a private hip replacement at Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre in Shepton Mallet, a decision spurred by his deteriorating condition and the success his son had with a sports injury surgery at the same centre.

Ian said: "I've made a fantastic recovery and am back walking on average seven kilometres a day, including steep hills. We are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the world and I'd encourage anyone to get out and enjoy the local walks at any time of the year!"