THE Archdeacon of Blackburn The Venerable Mark Ireland and his wife Gill are leading 36 Lancashire Anglican parishioners on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

The two-week trip will visit well-known sites associated with the ministry of Jesus in Galilee, Bethlehem and Jerusalem and will also take in the neighbouring Kingdom of Jordan.

The pilgrims include Judith Bennett from Read and Simonstone; Kenneth Winterburn from Feniscowles, Immanuel; John and Patricia Massey from Baxenden, St John; Mike and Gill Chew from Hoddlesden; Paul and Pam Daunton from Samlesbury; and John and Judith Pearson from Feniscowles.

They will pass through the stunning remains of Petra, which at the time of Jesus, was a magnificent city of commerce. The pilgrims are also staying in Bethlehem

Mr Ireland said: “We will see some amazing artefacts, such as a Galilean fishing boat from the time of Jesus and hear about recent archaeological discoveries.”