OVERWHELMING support was shown by residents and visitors to a West Devon village who came on Sunday to take part in a nature walk to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and Plymouth's Derriford Hospital's Oncology Unit.

Two hundred walkers of all ages swarmed Bridestowe on June 21 and enjoyed either the six or eight-mile routes, which began at The White Hart Inn with BBC Radio Devon's Morwenna Hortop as the celebrity starter.

The event, entitled the 'Leafy Lanes', proved to be such a huge success with walkers that the organiser of the day, local tree surgeon David Hocking, has said he is seriously thinking of making the walk an annual event.

He said: 'People's comments were so supportive that I aim to make it an annual event. Everyone really enjoyed the walk.'

David chose to organise the event due to his own cancer experience. He was diagnosed in August 2008 with a tumour on his larynx and underwent six weeks of radiotherapy. The tumour then started growing smaller and, in March 2009, the specialist confirmed that David no longer had cancer.

He said: 'From diagnosis to the all clear was just seven months. The relief for my wife was huge, as it was for my mother, who had herself overcome bowel cancer.

'Of course, I wouldn't want to go through it again, but I know that we are very lucky to have these wonderful people working some amazing pieces of medical kit and I'm very grateful to them for being there.

'I wanted to say thank you to Derriford's Oncology Department and to Macmillan nurse Maggie Jarvis for the fantastic support I received from them. I want to put something back to help others who follow in the future.'

Around £2,000 was raised and as the Times went to press David was expecting another £300 to £400 to arrive.

David said: 'I was so overwhelmed with the support I received — it was such a fantastic day.

'Money is hard to come by at the moment so I am very grateful that everyone put money towards such a lovely cause.'

David added: 'I am indebted to my sponsors — the White Hart Inn, Sisters Hair and Beauty in Tavistock and Brian and Angela Coward of Leaward Estate.'

He expressed sincere thanks to everyone who attended and helped raise money. Special thanks went to the 20 volunteers for their hard work on the day, and thanks also went to the Okehampton Army Cadets and Morwenna Hortop from BBC Radio Devon for their support shown on the day.