HARDY souls are making their way across the North-East carrying a huge wooden cross on an Easter pilgrimage of more than 100 miles to Holy Island.

The group were photographed in the Coquet Valley, Northumberland, on their journey from Carlisle to the island, also known as Lindisfarne, one of the first places Christianity was practised in the British Isles.

The religious men and women retraced centuries old pilgrim pathways and slept in church halls as they braved the elements on their 105 mile expedition to the Northumberland coast.

Two groups, one setting off from Lanark in Scotland and another from Carlisle, are to join together today for the last leg of the journey.

The pilgrims will remove their shoes to walk across the causeway to the island following in the footsteps of the founders of Christianity in the region.

Both groups carried heavy wooden crosses on their pilgrimage to Lindisfarne, to symbolise the suffering Jesus endured on his last walk to the crucifixion.

The Northern Cross pilgrimage has been taking place for 40 years.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: “Along the way we talk, sing, tell stories, tell jokes, have silent periods, discuss anything and everything and try not to get lost.

“The community spirit that is built up with a small group, roughing it, sleeping on cold hard floors, experiencing physical and emotional pain and pleasure together, experiencing all that northern British weather can throw at you in spring, is a fantastic experience.”