A GROUP of walkers campaigning for 'climate justice' and embarking on a 'pilgrimage route' will pass through East Lancashire in early October.

Walkers for Climate Justice are expected to reach the county on October 3, specifically Haslingden, Accrington, Clayton-le-Moors, Great Harwood, Whalley and Barrow.

The 'Camino to COP26' walkers hope to be given a fine East Lancashire welcome as they walk through the towns.

They will have walked from Bury on October 2 and stayed overnight at St Peter’s Church in Haslingden.

Then, on October 3, they will walk the 14 miles from Haslingden to St Mary’s Church in Clitheroe.

The route has been carefully plotted in advance and will take in the local townships, the roads connecting them and also enjoy the local countryside as they pass over the Nab footpath from Great Harwood to Whalley.

They have said that they are happy for locals to join them on the day for all or part of the walk, with encouraging banners welcomed.

The Camino Santaigo de Compostella is probably the best known 'pilgrimage route', as it runs from all points east to west in coastal Portugal.

Camino's are undertaken as an expression of faith and began in medieval times. In recent years, there have been climate justice marches all across the globe, such as the 'Jarrow March' in the UK, the 'Salt March' in India.

COP is a decision-making body of the United Nations that agrees coordinated action to tackle climate change.

COP26 stands for Conference of the Parties, with this being their 26th conference.

On September 5, 40 walkers set off from London to undertake a 500 mile journey to the United Nations COP26 meeting that will take place in Glasgow during November 1-12.

The Camino to COP26 walkers aim to inspire ordinary people on the route and add their voices to the growing global chorus demanding that governments treat the climate crisis as the emergency that they believe it is.

It is also fundraising to help activist groups in areas around the world that are the most impacted by climate change.

Although led by the XR (Extinction Rebellion) Faith Bridge, people from a variety of backgrounds, of different faiths and none, are being invited to participate.

Whilst some will undertake the whole route or a substantial section of it, the pilgrimage also welcomes local day walkers.

The only condition for joining is a commitment to supporting a mitigation of the effects of climate change.

A spokesperson for the group said: "Damage has been caused to our world by human activity since the industrial revolution.

"Now that most understand this, they want to do what they can protect their local environment whether it be keeping streets tidy or maintaining outdoor spaces for all to enjoy.

"They want to live the best life they can whilst not being unnecessarily wasteful.

"However, there are some things that are determined by the actions of our politicians and others in powerful positions and this makes us feel powerless to have any influence.

"What we must remember is that, even though it is imperfect, we live in a democracy where there is a tradition of peaceful protest by ordinary people that has really made a difference.

"If it were not for peaceful protest we would not have the restrictive gun laws that keep us safe.

"Our politicians should be held to account for their actions and should be made aware about how they can do more to make the world a better place.

"In November of this year there is an important international meeting going on in Glasgow. On an individual level, we can all do the best for ourselves as well seeing the bigger picture."