THE streets will be packed on Friday as the town turns out to celebrate Warrington Walking Day.

The event, which is more than 170 years old, is organised by the town's churches and takes place tomorrow, Friday.

The procession will begin at the Town Hall at 10.30am and make its way through the town centre. Some delays to traffic are expected but will be kept to a minimum.

Sgt Mike Jones, of Warrington traffic police, said: "We are asking people to allow extra time for their journeys and to avoid the town centre completely if possible. Pedestrian safety is our priority."

Traffic arrangements are as follows:

l The inner town centre will be closed to all traffic from 9am until about 12.30pm. All town centre roads are expected to re-open by 12.45pm.

l Access to Mersey Street car park will be via Academy Street and Academy Way from both Mersey Street and Buttermarket Street. Exit from this car park will be maintained via Bank Street to Mersey Street at all times.

l Bus services will continue to operate but will terminate at the edge of the town centre.

l Delays on main roads are expected and motorists are urged to take extra care and exercise patience if delayed by walking groups going to and from the procession.

l Processions will be on Manchester Road, Knutsford Road, Orford Lane and Lovely Lane from 9am onwards.

l The Guardian's promotion team will be selling copies of the paper around the Walking Day route.

Photos of Walking Day will be put on our website throughout the day. Click here to look at them and get 10 per cent off your Walking Day photo orders.