A sunny mood matched the weather on Monday when pilgrims from all over the St Albans diocese arrived in the city for the annual Easter Pilgrimage.

Around a thousand people were at the 70th Easter Monday Pilgrimage - with the only casualty being a shortage of service sheets for everyone.

Some pilgrims had walked more than 40 miles from across Herts and Beds to the Pilgrimage which takes the form of a picnic in the Abbey Orchard followed by a service.

Many had been coming for years and the display of badges, given out as they pass the Shrine each year, was a popular sight.

One group was celebrating its 30th Pilgrimage, having started in their teens in the youth group in Chipping Barnet.

But it was not all long-standing pilgrims at the cathedral this Easter Monday - 79-year-old Douglas Dear was there for the first time.

There were some familiar faces as well - Atalie Gaines, a trainee priest from Harpenden who is now studying at Westcott House, Cambridge, before being ordained in St Albans this summer, was among the throng.

In addition Father David Warner, who was a member of the root group at the cathedral a few years ago before going off to train, was also a participant in the Pilgrimage.