Pilgrims to blaze trail in steps of little-known saint

Teacher Tina Clayton spent three years researching the life of St Paulinus, the first Bishop of York, who converted many northern Britons to Christianity.

Modern-day pilgrims, some from as far away as New Zealand and Sweden, will launch the first walk along the Paulinus Way a week on Sunday.

Mrs Clayton, from Todmorden, retraced the saint’s steps from Whalley in Lancashire to Dewsbury and on to York.

She said: “I just want to be in the footsteps of this man I’ve spent so long with, and get a sense of his commitment and faith.”

Mrs Clayton and husband Stuart Clayton, an illustrator, have put together a book and created pilgrimage route maps for walkers, drivers and even canal boaters.

The first group of pilgrims are due to arrive in York’s Museum Gardens on Sunday, September 4.