PILGRIMS were welcomed to Canterbury by the archbishop after walking 40 miles to raise cash to renovate their church.

Seven members of St Mary’s Church in Wivenhoe took on the journey for the St Mary’s Transformation project.

The team, and their supporters, walked the The Pilgrims' Way across three days from Aylesford Priory to Canterbury Cathedral.

When they arrived in Canterbury they were welcomed by Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Pilgrims' Way is the historical route taken by pilgrims from Winchester in Hampshire to the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury.

The Rev Erwin Lammens, rector at Wivenhoe, said: "It was a great experience which brought us closer together as we explored our physical fitness and spiritual strength in Christian faith."

The team has helped raise £2,607 for the church project.

Appeal is generating funds to build annexe, with a meeting room, kitchen and toilets, and for the reordering and refurbishing of the church.

To donate visit donate.kindlink.com/st-mary-s-pcc-wivenhoe/2161.