THIS week, 15 years ago, a nun who travelled the world on a pilgrimage paid a visit to Durham Cathedral.

Sister Ruth Augustus, whose mission of prayer took her to more than 200 countries in her 14 years, made a stop to the cathedral on her tour of Britain.

Accompanied by her constant companion, a three foot statuette of the Virgin Mary, her mission was to bring people back to prayer "before it's too late".

As the 62-year-old approached Palace Green, in front of the Cathedral, she said: "It feels very special here."

After the UK, Sister Ruth had 30 countries left to visit.

Also that week, a heatwave that set the record for the highest temperatures in Britain failed to stop it from snowing at one visitor attraction.

To cope with the soaring temperatures, the penguins, seals and otters at Scarborough Sea Life and Marine Sanctuary had their homes transformed into a winter wonderland complete with snow and blocks of ice.

Sanctuary manager Iain Hawkins said: "As well as providing an amusing spectacle for visitors, there is a serious side to the icy treat. The otters, penguins and seals are intelligent creatures and they respond well to being given different things to interact and play with.

"We are always looking for different ideas to help keep them stimulated and to improve their environment."

Finally, a "colossal figure in British newspapers" and former Echo reporter, Sir Edward Pickering, died aged 91.

Edward Davies "Pick" Pickering was born on May 4, 1912, in Middlesbrough and was educated at Middlesbrough High School.

He started as a reporter in The Northern Echo's Middlesbrough office, and subsequently worked in Newcastle and Manchester before becoming chief sub-editor of the Daily Mail at the age of 26.

During the war, he served with the Royal Artillery and with the Supreme HQ of the Allied Expeditionary Force before returning to the Daily Mail as its managing editor.