Pictures: Bishop Paul is bowled over by 'fantastic' response to his annual Prayer Walks

The Rt Revd Paul Butler began his walk on Ascension Day [May 25] walking in Gateshead for three days followed by three days in Hartlepool ending on Pentecost Sunday [June 4].

The walks were an opportunity for the Bishop to meet people from across Gateshead and Hartlepool – walking, talking, and praying with them.

This year marks the third year of prayer walks in an eight year cycle walking across all 16 deaneries of the Diocese – two per year.

Bishop Paul said: “I was delighted with the response and welcome I received everywhere I visited throughout the two weeks.”

Particularly poignant this year were the terror attacks in Manchester and London. In both cases there were opportunities to speak and pray about the importance of community, love and fellowship amongst different people.

“As in previous years, it’s the stories of people and their communities that never cease to amaze me.

“There is real passion and commitment here. I hope the prayer walks go some way to bring these forward so we can celebrate the good in our communities, and keep praying for them.”

During the walks, Bishop Paul visited schools, community projects, civic locations, fire, rescue and RNLI facilities, sporting and cultural centres, churches, other faith leaders and their communities – as well as a whole host of local people in their places of work and leisure. At Hartlepool Football Club he was given a tour of the grounds and presented with a club scarf.

Bishop Paul added: “One highlight for me was to be able to join up with the Great Big Walk during our time in Hartlepool. This gave us a great opportunity to walk, talk and pray for the work being done and to discover some of the tireless community engagement that they were showcasing.

“This has been a fantastic two weeks – and I can’t wait to do it all over again next year.”