A PILGRIMAGE taken by monks thousands of years ago was retraced once more by pilgrims of Ripon.

Each year, hundreds travel by foot from Ripon Cathedral to Fountains Abbey, in North Yorkshire, on Boxing Day as people of all ages follow the path of the Cistercian monks in 1132.

Those religious men went on to found a new monastery, Fountains Abbey, almost 900 years ago, which became one of the great abbeys of the north and only the second Cistercian abbey to be built after Rievaulx, near Helmsley.

This year's walk was led by the Bishop of Leeds Rt Rev Nick Baines and the Dean of Ripon, John Dobson.

The four-mile route took travellers from the steps of Ripon Cathedral, passing through the streets of the city and Studley Royal deer park along the way, before coming to the end of their journey at Fountains Abbey.

The walkers were rewarded with a carol service in the ancient ruins of Fountains and a glass of mulled wine, at the end of their journey.