A NATIONAL trail which provides breathtaking views of Herefordshire will soon be available to view online after Google Maps set out plans to record its panoramic views.

The 176-mile Offa’s Dyke Path from Sedbury near Chepstow, to Prestatyn in North Wales, runs along the county’s Welsh border, passing by the villages of Pandy and Llanthony and the towns of Kington and Hay-on-Wye.

Google Street View started in 2007 when it recorded roads in cities, towns and villages but over the last two years staff and volunteer park wardens have been trekking across country paths – including the one marking much of the English and Welsh border.

They have captured the images with a specially designed Google Trekker – consisting of 15 cameras above their heads.

It is hoped the move will really put the county on the map and attract more international tourists to the border towns and villages after seeing shots of the county’s landscape online.

“Hay-on-Wye gets a lot of international tourists so for them to be able to see the Offa’s Dyke in advance will get more and more people to come along,” said Hay-on-Wye Chamber of Commerce spokesman Andrew Williams.

“The Google guys don’t do things by half so I imagine they will do a very good job.

“Walkers often come into the town from the crack of dawn to pick up bread rolls and water from the cafes and shops. They stay in the town’s bed and breakfasts and visit our outdoor activity shops so hopefully this will increase.

“I would definitely see it as something very positive with the amount of outdoor activities which already take place in the area.

“People use Hay as their base and the footfall of people visiting the town has really grown over the last few years. Now people are using more and more modern technology so we need to use this to bring people to the town.”

Hay-on-Wye mayor Robert Golesworthy hopes the views of Hay Bluff will be captured in all its glory.

He added: “The Offa’s Dyke passes my house.

“I’m not a lover of Google Maps as I find them intrusive but in this case I think it is a good thing. It is one of the most important walks in Britain and is quite stunning. I have done bits of it and it is lovely walk although a bit strenuous. The views of Hay Bluff are beautiful from there and are unrivalled.”