WINSFORD Town Mayor is completing her year in office by following in the footsteps of the town's ancestors.

Gina Lewis is reviving the ancient custom of 'Beating the Bounds'.

Villagers and church officials used walk the boundaries of the parish to share knowledge of the area and pray for protection and blessings on the land.

Cllr Lewis will be making the historic trek on Bank Holiday Monday May 6 and will be raising funds for her two charities, the Royal British Legion and the Alzheimer's Society.

"Beating the Bounds is an opportunity to reaffirm the extent of our town boundary," she said. "This ancient custom was usually led by the parish priest, accompanied by older and young men.

"At a time when maps did not exist it set the boundaries for future generations. It would affirm their devotion to God, to ask God for forgiveness from sins and protection from evil and bless the congregation and fruits of their labour.

"It was also used to see how much tax could be collected on crops grown and animals born."

Cllr Lewis will set off from Winsford Marina at 10am and plans to follow a 16-mile route in a figure of eight, completing the Wharton section in the morning, returning to the marina for a break and then follow the Over part in the afternoon.

"There are a few towns and parishes which still Beat the Bounds, " added Cllr Lewis. "We don't make enough of our heritage. It was when Moulton parishioners did the exercise recently that I thought it would be a suitable successor to my last mayoral walk when I climbed Snowden."

Anyone wishing to join her can collect a copy of the route from the Town Council offices in advance or just turn up on the day.

Councillor Lewis climbed Mount Snowdon when she served as mayor four years ago.

To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/winsford-progress-rbl or justgiving.com/fundraising/winsford-progress-as.