More than a thousand people attended an Easter Monday pilgrimage at St Albans Cathedral, travelling from across the Diocese of St Albans.

Pilgrims travelled from Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Luton and part of Barnet, many on foot and some in groups as large as 35. Many families attended and some brought their dogs with them.

The Bishop of Hertford, Dr Michael Beasley, joined a group walking from Hatfield along the Alban Way, and stopped for a picnic at St Albans Scout Hut before the service at the Cathedral.

The Bishop of St Albans presided over the service to celebrate Easter, supported by the Bishop of Bedford and the Bishop of Hertford. The Rev Lucy Davis, vicar of Flitwick, also preached. During the service flags were placed on the altar bearing the values of St Albans Diocese: ‘Generosity, joy, imagination and courage’.

Arun Kataria, communications officer for the Diocese of St Albans, said: “The atmosphere was informal, joyful and the singing was enthusiastic, as befits the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”