A PILGRIMAGE of history and hope is bringing the new Bishop of Durham closer to his enthronement on Sunday.

The Right Reverend Tom Wright walked through Darlington and Teesdale yesterday on his week-long trek around the main historic and sacred sites of his new diocese.

With a small band of followers, including his son, Julian, he has already taken in the industrial east of the region.

He started four days ago in Jarrow, South Tyneside, and will end at Durham Cathedral at 3pm on Sunday, when he will be enthroned.

He is visiting landmarks such as the National Glass Centre, in Sunderland, the Millennium Bridge, in Newcastle, the Seafarers' Centre, in Seaham, and the Angel of the North, at Gateshead, as well as schools and small country churches in Teesdale and the Wear Valley.

Yesterday, he was in Darlington for a walk through the town centre before he took a bus ride to Barnard Castle and Middleton-in-Teesdale to follow the banks of the River Tees past High Force for evening prayers at St James the Less, at Forest and Frith.

This morning, he will take part in a communion at St Thomas Church, in Stanhope, Weardale, and he will travel through Wolsingham, walk along the Weardale Way to Harperley Hall, Witton-le-Wear and Witton Park to Escomb Saxon Church for 6pm prayers.

He said: "Durham is a diocese of such incredible contrast.

"It is wonderful to see all the regeneration that is going on and examples of areas which have been turned around.

"We have been following the history of the diocese back to the 7th Century AD and looking forward with hope.

"This walk is really about history and hope and trying to bring the two together."