Interactive mural marks 30 years of river trail
BBCAn interactive mural has been created to mark 30 years since the Thames Path was officially opened as a National Trail.
The work in Henley-on-Thames, created by artist Vickie Amiralis, celebrates the wildlife in and around the River Thames.
"It's designed to get families interacting with the real world and spotting what they see on the mural," she said.
A range of events is planned to mark the anniversary of the 185-mile (298km) route, which runs alongside the river, stretching from the Cotswolds through seven counties, including Oxfordshire and Berkshire, before it reaches London.
A QR code attached to the mural will allow people travelling along the path to scan for information about the animals and plants in the area.
"It's meant to be fun for children as well as educational," Amiralis added.
Hannah Gutteridge, Thames Path manager, said the anniversary was "a real celebration of the nature on the trail".
She highlighted the variety of wildlife found along the route, including birds in riverside nature reserves, as well as seals and otters.
"You've just got to keep your eyes peeled and you'll be amazed what you can see," she said.
Community groups are also planning a walking relay along the route throughout June.
"It's going to be a celebration of each different community and what they bring to the trail," Gutteridge said.
However, a 2.7-mile (4.3km) diversion remains in place at Marsh Lock footbridge in Henley-on-Thames. It was introduced by the Environment Agency in 2022 over safety concerns.
Gutteridge said delays to repairs had largely been due to cost, but work was continuing behind the scenes.
"We've now reached a point where some of this infrastructure has come to the end of its life, so what are we going to do about the next 30 years?" she said.
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