LANCASHIRE Methodist district chairman, the Rev Paul Davis, and 12 companions were welcomed by Barnoldswick Methodists after completing a six-day pilgrimage walk along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The walk began at Adlington, near Chorley, and took in Methodist churches and schools along the way.

All the walkers finished in good shape, despite variable weather, and helped to open and close one or two lock gates.

Burnley churches and schools and Nelson and Brierfield churches were visited and the last stage was from Higherford to Barnoldswick, where walkers were welcomed with refreshments by St Andrew’s Methodist Church members.

Mr Davis had been accompanied at various points by walkers varying in age from two to 80, and he was pleased by meeting people informally on the journey and receiving a warm welcome from schools and churches, where he took part in acts of worship.

Participants said the walk was enjoyable and suggestions were made a future walk might be along the Fylde coast ending in Lancaster.