The Right Rev Tim Stevens set off from St Mary's Church, Melton on Thursday, on a 240 mile pilgrimage around Leicestershire.

He said: "We all lead quite busy lives these days and sometimes we need a chance to change gear and slow down a little bit to think about the journey we are all on. Lent is traditionally the time when Christians have tried to do this.

"Over the six week period I will walk around the towns and villages of the diocese, about 240 miles."

Every Thursday to Sunday, Bishop Stevens will cover a parish calling at churches, schools and the odd pub.

His first leg of the marathon journey started with a short service of morning prayer in St Mary's Church, Melton on Thursday last week with support from various members of the congregation and Canon Charles Jenkin.

He said: "It's very nice that he started the journey in Melton. He could have started anywhere in Leicestershire and he chose to start here."

Before leaving Melton, Bishop Stevens enjoyed a cup of tea in the Fair Trade cafe at Melton Country Park.

He then went through Scalford, Waltham on the Wolds, Stonesby, Saltby, Croxton Kerrial, Branston, Stathern, Knipton, Belvoir Castle, Redmile and Barkestone before he arrived in Bottesford in time for evening prayer on Sunday.

His next leg of the journey will leave on Thursday from Market Harborough to Wigston Magna.

He said: "Lent is a time when we are all reminded of that which binds us together - the fact that as Christians we are a community of those who see in the face of Jesus, especially in his sufferings, the meaning and the purpose of our lives. I hope there will be many stories to be told, heard a shared."

Anyone interested in joining Bishop Stevens on his route should contact Jim Tynan on (0116) 248 7400.

For a video of the start of the walk and an interview over a pub lunch in Scalford, visit our website www.meltontimes.co.uk