A BISHOP was among the brave souls who took part in a fire walk last night.

The Bishop of Jarrow, the Right Reverend John Pritchard, joined 29 volunteers for the challenge, at Durham Sixth-Form Centre, in aid of St Cuthbert's Hospice, Durham.

Following registration, the volunteers underwent a two-hour motivational training course before completing a barefoot walk across the 20ft length of burning coals.

Bishop Pritchard said: "We were all quite well worked up, or psyched up for it. I haven't any burns or anything like that.

"I would recommend it for anyone interested in mind over matter, or exercising their faith. Isiah 43, verse two, says we shall walk through the fire, we shall not be burned."

The group included another cleric, the Reverend Ruth Crofton, minister of Durham's Waddington Street United Reformed Church, and other hospice supporters.

The event followed the success of the first fire walk challenge, a year ago, which involved several firefighters and police officers.

The hospice raised £4,000 to help provide specialist palliative care for patients in Durham, Chester-le-Street, Spennymoor and Derwentside. This year, it is hoping to raise more than £5,000.