A GROUP of 16 Canadians walked the length of Hadrian's Wall and celebrated with a glass of champagne in Bowness-on-Solway.

The group was led by Gillian Niblett, who runs a power walking company called Walking Fit in Canada with her friend Karen Liptrap.

Gillian's stepdaughter, Joanna Niblett, said: "Back in 2014, Gill and my late father walked some of the wall with us but Gill always wanted to complete the full walk. After my father passed away she was determined to do it.

"Some of her friends wanted to support her and numbers grew and it snowballed to 16 walkers in total.

"They were all blown away by the wild scenery and open landscapes as well as being in awe of the history and the achievements of the Romans.

"They thought the trail was the most well signed they’d ever been on and the hospitality shown by the locals was great, particularly on the last day or so as they got closer to the end.

"The locals in Burgh by Sands and Bowness-on-Solway were so helpful, friendly and good humoured and that really finished off the trip perfectly.

"They finished in style at Banks Promenade where we had champagne and chocolate gold coin medals I’d made them with Hadrian’s face on them.

"They sang the Canadian National Anthem as well as a funny version of We Are The Champions as We Are the Walkers of the Wall with references to blisters."

The walkers who took part were Gillian Niblett, Karen and Stephen Liptrap, Cindy and Paul Blake, Joan Atherley, Cheryl van der Kroon, Ken Leach, Elaine Collins, Deb and Mike Havers, Lani Campbell Fellowes, Lyne and Warren Bell Desforges and Karen and Paul Grimsby.