FORMER heart patients and their families will be putting their best foot forward this Sunday in aid of cardiac care.

To date members of Warrington Heart Support Group have funded an impressive array of medical equipment for the town's hospital through their annual sponsored walk.

In recent years the hardy hikers have paid for a £5,000 treadmill for the hospital gym, spent £3,000 on an infusion unit for the accident and emergency ward and forked out £1,650 for a new coronary care unit bed.

And the 12th such stroll, setting off from the Rams Head pub in Grappenhall this Sunday, promises to be another boon for heart services.

Between 30 and 40 walkers are expected to depart from the pub from 10.30am, following a route up to Camsley Bridge, near Lymm, then heading back to the Rams Head.

There are three and five mile alternatives for walkers, depending on their stamina.

Each walker will be counted in and out by organisers and a cardiac nurse will be on hand to check the course later.

Christine Howarth, support group secretary, said: "Everyone who takes part will receive a certificate at the end of the walk."