The new Bishop of Bradford stepped out in Keighley yesterday as part of a three-day walking pilgrimage through the diocese.

The Rt Rev David James invited people to join him as he walked through the area before his service of welcome tomorrow.

On New Year's Day, Bishop David walked from Skipton to Ilkley. Yesterday he walked over the tops and lunched at Dick Hudson's pub before walking on to Riddlesden and Keighley.

Bishop David officially became the ninth Bishop of Bradford on November 29.

He said: "Bradford is a very diverse diocese. As well as the Bradford Metropolitan District, it takes in much of the Yorkshire Dales, as well as the forest of Bowland and even parts of Cumbria. I wish I could have walked through every parish all the way down from Sedburgh or Dent.

On arriving at Dick Hudson's, the Bishop said: "The walk's gone really well so far. I'm enjoying getting out and meeting people along the way.

"We're heading to St Mary's in Riddlesden and then I'll visit Thrush Street, where my grandfather lived in Keighley. I'm also looking forward to visiting the Sangat Centre, in Keighley, and talking to people there.

"It has been really heartening to see so many people waiting and praying for me."

Tomorrow the Bishop will walk through the city of Bradford to the cathedral for the service of welcome.

He is the first Bishop to ask for a service of welcome rather than an enthronement, because he says he doesn't feel comfortable with "regal connotations".

In another departure from tradition, during the service the Bishop will wash the hands of several representatives of the community in a symbolic act of service and humility.