Visitors to the Mendip Hills are being invited to take a walk on the wild side with the help of a new illustrated guide to eight walks in the area of outstanding natural beauty.

The guide has been published by the Mendip AONB Service to encourage visitors to explore the area and its long history.

The Mendip Hills has been all things to all people: a place to live and raise a family, a place to farm crops or hunt for food, a place to worship or a fortress to defend, a place to dig out a living through mining and quarrying, or a place to enjoy leisure time.

These activities have all left their mark on the area and the walks have been drafted so visitors can take a journey through time.

Visitors can follow the guide around Blagdon Lake and look at the history of the man-made lake and its Victorian dam, as well as the rich wildlife.

Chew Valley Lake is a bird watchers' paradise and following the illustrated guide, walkers will be able to find out more about its history and the swan and wildfowl population that rely on it.

Other places featured in the guide include a walk around the droves of Priddy, East Harptree Woods and Combe and the naturalists' paradise of Draycott Sleights, as well as the ancient woodland of Kings Wood.

All the walks are fully illustrated and come with details of what to watch out for and background information as well as additional advice on wildlife and flowers.

The guide costs £5 and is available from the Mendip Hills AONB Service at the Charterhouse Centre or from Tourist Information Centres.