A BEAUTY spot between Petersfield and Horndean is the launchpad for a campaign aimed at encouraging those out in the country to give a cheery greeting to those they meet walking, cycling or horse riding.

Focused on Queen Elizabeth Country Park, one of the busiest areas of the downs, the ‘Share the Path’ campaign is inviting countryside users to interact with everyone they meet along the way.

The campaign is the brainchild of those at the South Downs National Park Authority, and is being launched as Spring approaches and the countryside gets busier.

A park spokesman said: “Have you sometimes been disappointed when your friendliness on your dog walk or hike has not been returned, but met perhaps with a frosty stare or ignored altogether.

“But a simple ‘hello’, or a ‘thank you’ when someone lets you pass, can be all it takes to enhance your enjoyment of your jaunt.”

The spokesman added that most people were courteous and polite when out and about on the downs, whether up on the rolling hills or in the towns and villages, but this ethos needed to be taken up by all.

The national park contains more than 1,000kms of shared paths ranging from the South Downs Way to small local bridleways.

These paths are enjoyed every day by ramblers, hikes, dog walkers, cyclists, horse riders, landowners and farmers.

Research shows that incidents of conflict is very rare.

And the SDNPA is committed to upholding this positive situation, asking that those using the park, and surrounding countryside, are friendly, and spread the word to friends, family and colleagues in person, at events, online or on social media.