RESIDENTS can now view some of Cheshire's most beautiful countryside all from the comfort of their armchairs.

For miles of rural hills, paths and wildlife have been recorded in both audio and visual for all to view.

And the six-part virtual tour was launched at the weekend to mark the start of the Step Into Cheshire event.

Ian Coppack ranger, who produced the recordings, said: "I wanted to make the countryside accessible to those who maybe cannot experience it first hand, but still have a great appreciation for its beauty."

The Step Into Cheshire programme began on Saturday and runs for nine days.

The festival features more than 50 tailor-made opportunities to explore Cheshire's rural and urban delights on foot, by bike or horseback.