Pictured with John Craven is Dan Barnett, access and recreation manager of Exmoor National Park. Picture: Visit Exmoor Pictured with John Craven is Dan Barnett, access and recreation manager of Exmoor National Park. Picture: Visit Exmoor

BBC Countryfile’s John Craven turned out at Lynmouth yesterday (Monday) to unveil an iconic new statue.

The Walker has been commissioned to mark the end of The Coleridge Way long-distance walking route and also indicates the closing stage of The Two Moors Way, as well as pinpointing where both these walks intersect with the South West Coast Path.

Designed and constructed by local craftsman Richard Graham, the statue is made from reinforced 8mm marine quality stainless steel wire and shows a larger-than-life walker stretching out his hand in greeting.

Designed and constructed by local craftsman Richard Graham, the statue is made from reinforced 8mm marine quality stainless steel wire and shows a larger-than-life walker stretching out his hand in greeting.

Lynton’s mayor Suzette Hibbert, a director of the Lyn Community Development Trust, said: “We asked Richard to make a model of a walker with which the visitors could interact, we were very keen to make them aware of Lynmouth’s role as a premier walking destination and The Walker fits the brief perfectly.”

The project was led by the Lyn Community Development Trust and the design has been endorsed by the Lyn Economic and Tourism Alliance, the Cliff Railway, the Art and Crafts Centre, Andrea Davis (county councillor), John Patrinos (district councillor), the Coleridge Way Steering Group and Exmoor National Park.

Together with the Lyn Community Development Trust all have made financial contributions to complete the project.

“It’s exciting to have this iconic statue on the seafront at Lynmouth,” said Jennette Baxter, development manager at Visit Exmoor.

“It’s position at the conjunction of three great long distance trails celebrates the sheer choice of walks available in the area and highlights Exmoor as the place to go for a great walking experience.”