A TV PRESENTER is calling on Torfaen residents to put their best foot forward and join in her in running around Blaenavon World Heritage Site – barefoot.

Gardening expert Lynne Allbutt is hoping to hold workshops at the historic site around Easter time, to promote the benefits of living shoe-free.

It is also part of an ambitious challenge she is undertaking, to run 45 miles across the width of Wales – including the highest peak in the Cambrian mountain range.

She said the World Heritage Site was the perfect place to spread “the many benefits of being barefoot”.

Ms Allbutt said: “It’s such a fabulous area. The views alone are motivation enough. And yet many people do not realise it is on their doorstep.

“Being barefoot has given me both clarity and confidence and if it can do the same for others, then it is very much worth sharing and facilitating.” she added.

A Blaenavon-based consultancy has also stepped forward to is supporting her challenge.

RWA E-Learning is sponsoring the TV star and building support for her campaign, which also features a celebrity shoe auction – including footwear owned by Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin, Peter Crouch and Max Boyce. It has also built her a website.

RWA’s operations director Tom Wood said: “We want to help Lynne educate people on why she is doing the run, the importance of the challenge and the benefits of health and wellbeing and this idea of education ties in nicely with our e-learning services.”

RWA is also setting up a community interest company, to donate all money raised by the challenge and auction to community projects focused on mental health, obesity, bullying, anxiety, and general wellbeing.

The barefoot challenge will take place on the weekend of May 31 and June 1. For details, see www.allbuttshoes.com