IN MAY 1968, a group of 1,000 walkers raised £3,000 for Christian Aid to help farmers in India.

With the knowledge that their efforts stood to benefit farmers on the other side of the world, the ramblers set off from their home towns in the Cotswolds to pace along the 20 miles towards the finishing line, the Royal Agricultural College.

Among the Cirencester marchers were 10 Agricultural College students who walked the 20 miles in time to attend their 9am lectures and Peter Mace who, despite his long walk, performed successfully for Cirencester Cricket Club in the afternoon.

One of the first walkers to arrive at the finish line included 10-year-old Paul Smith and four other boys from Ashton Keynes.

None of the 1,000 participants failed to finish and the police lent their support by laying on several squad cars and allowing a group of cadets to take part.

People walked from as far afield as Gloucester, Dursley, Stroud and Bourton-on-the-Water.

The Cirencester group began at 4.30am at the Corn Hall before meandering through the villages of Daglingworth, Edgeworth, Sapperton, Tarlton and Coates.

The weary walkers were greeted on their arrival with a hearty breakfast laid on by the Cirencester Christian Aid committee.