IT was called ‘Over the Alps XXV’ and it must have seemed like crossing the famed mountaion range because of the terrible weather conditions facing the 300 hardy folk who battled torrential rain and wind to ‘walk the line’.

The occasion was the annual route march along the Mid Hants Watercress Line, which took place on Saturday.

Their ultimate destination along the track was Alresford and some walked the 10 miles from Alton station, while others walked from Medstead and some from Ropley, with families, couples, single walkers and even toddlers and dogs making up the hiking party.

The event was organised by Derek Seaton to raise funds for the Mid Hants Watercress Line Preservation Society and incredibly, although numbers were down on last year, more than £5,000 was raised which will go toward the £200,000 restoration of railway engine Standard Four 75079, which was in service during the 1940s and early 1950s.

Mr Seaton, who is handing over the reins next year to David Brace, who also helped organise the walk, explained why it is called ‘Over the Alps’. He said: “There is a big hill leading up to Four Marks and the drivers, because it was hard work, said it was like climbing the Alps.”

He said he was grateful to all those that supported the walk.

“Since we introduced the shorter two-mile walk, it was lovely to see how many toddlers came with their families.”