Bradford's new Bishop was today marching onwards throughout the district despite blisters, sore knees and stiff muscles.

The Right Reverend David James, who officially became Bishop at the end of November, was walking the last leg of his pilgrimage to enjoy the diversities of the district.

The walk culminates in a wander around the city of Bradford tomorrow after which Bishop David takes part in his Service of Welcome at Bradford Cathedral.

After a Eucharist service at St Margaret's Church, Ilkley, the Bishop, pictured, and his party of walkers and clergy, armed with staffs, boots and warm clothing, stepped out yesterday morning on to the moors under glowering clouds.

Clad in a black hat and green gaiters, the Bishop was just another hiker with a troop of friends.

Recovering from his 15-mile trek from Embsay to Bolton Abbey the day before, Bishop David said: "Well, I am still alive! We are covering nine miles today but it is over the moors so it will be hard going.

"I could do with a new pair of knees, and that might be all the praying I am doing!

"The weather isn't putting me off, though - it is what you expect in January.

"Yesterday, about 50 people joined me. We walked and chatted, so I got to know lots of people."

But there was sadness on the route on New Year's Day when grieving parents of two-year-old Robyn Lloyd, who was killed in a car crash near Embsay, Skipton, two days before Christmas, joined the Bishop for prayers at the spot where she died.

Today the Bishop and his party began at All Saints Church in Keighley with prayers at 9am before walking to Bingley and Shipley.

Tomorrow, beginning at his grandfather's former home in Midland Terrace, Canal Road, he will visit the city's different places of worship, business and recreation including Bradford City's football ground at Valley Parade, City Hall, the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, Bradford Police Station and shopping malls.

Wearing a cassock and cloak, the Bishop will take gifts to a synagogue, a mosque, a Sikh Gurdwara, a Hindu temple and a Catholic church where he will offer prayers before the welcome service.

He added: "I felt very stiff this morning.

"At this rate, I might have to be wheeled around Bradford in a chair.

"I shall be taking a book of interfaith dialogue to the places of worship, which was initiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the King of Jordan in Egypt, and a book of prayers.

"I will also be going to that other place of worship, Valley Parade, to offer prayers.

"The team have been doing pretty well recently."

Matthew Barnard, church warden at All Saints Church in Ilkley, joined the pilgrims yesterday and planned to walk today too.

He said: "It is a brilliant idea. He is getting to know people on a normal level and getting back to nature."