THE Church of England is set to launch a 42-mile pilgrimage dedicated to a 7th Century saint who is said to have turned a plague of snakes into stone.

The Diocese of York will stage six consecutive days of events from June 28 to mark the opening of St Hilda's Way, which will run from Hinderwell to Whitby, in North Yorkshire, and feature coastal and national park paths.

The Reverend Barry Pyke, Rural Dean of Whitby, said the pilgrimage had been inspired by a trip last year to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain, which has been a pilgrims' centre for hundreds of years.

He said he hoped it would help those who undertook the walk, which includes eight churches and chapels dedicated to the Hartlepool and Whitby abbess, who was raised in King Edwin of Northumbria's Court, to discover the Christian story and their part in it.

At each church, pilgrims will be invited to focus on a different aspect of the patron saint of learning and culture's life, something to find in the church and the opportunity for reflection and meditation.

Legends in the area say seabirds flying over Whitby Abbey dip their wings in tribute to St Hilda, whose snake plague miracle led to the naming of the ammonite genus Hildoceras.

After serving as the second abbess of Hartlepool Abbey, in 657 Hilda became the founder of Whitby Abbey, and remained there until her death.

Rev Pyke, who has developed the route with walking guide authors Reverend Nancy and John Eckersley, said: "We are lucky in the North-East to have a number of remarkable saints with remarkable stories to tell about the Christian faith.

"In Northumberland there is St Cuthbert’s Way from Melrose to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, and St Oswald’s Way from Holy Island to Heavenfield.

"In some ways Santiago and Whitby have things in common: they both have a special saint and are vibrant towns for tourists and pilgrims as well as having a connection with the manufacture of jet jewellery."

Events to mark the pilgrimage's launch will include a service at St Hilda's Holy Well at Hinderwell Church, led the Bishop of Whitby, and six walks, ranging from four to ten miles.

Guide books will be available to buy from June 28 from churches visited on the route, the Gateway centre at Staithes or from Whitby, Scarborough and Filey tourist information centres.

For details, visit whitbydeanery.org