Organised by the rector of Castor church William Burke, the eight-mile walk along the Saxon Way to Barnack church was ended with a Saxon feast for some 150 people.

The group of people ranging from nine-years-old to over 70 left St Kyneburgha Church in Castor after singing To be a Pilgrim by John Bunyan and saying some pilgrim prayers and walked to Upton Church for refreshments.

Then the group continued along Barn Road, through Southey Wood to Ufford Church where they stopped for lunch, then on again to Bainton Church for more water or orange juice and then to Barnack Church for tea and traditional Evensong, where they were joined by the choirs of Castor and Barnack Church.

Rev Burke said: "At each church people had the chance to stop, reflect and light candles for themselves and other people. All these churches we visited are Grade One listed buildings and the expense of maintaining them is now huge, but we are determined to help keep them open.

"They are part of the fabric of English villages. Castor and Barnack are the only two parish churches in the county listed in Simon Jenkins top 100 churches in England, both of Saxon foundations – Castor having been founded on a famous Roman site where Christians have worshipped since the 4th century."

During the journey the group was accompanied by the sound of bells ringing as it left and approached each church.