HUNDREDS braved the unseasonal arctic weather during Easter to take part in the walks of witness marking Good Friday.

Young and old, joined the faithful, to make the traditional climb up Holcombe Hill.

Following a service, cross bearers made the journey from Emmanuel Church Holcombe, to reach the highest point in Greater Manchester where a sermon was conducted by ministers from Ramsbottom's churches.

Mrs Gloria Metcalfe, of the Ramsbottom Christian Council, which organised the walk, said: "The weather did keep people away, but those who turned up were well wrapped and they enjoyed an interesting sermon."

The walkers are pictured climbing up Holcombe Hill with the cross.

In Bury, the Rev Ruth Wollaston's fears of Good Friday just being another day were allayed. The minister at Rochdale Road United Reformed Church joined dozens of Christians to take part in the first walk of witness seen in Bury town centre for years.

Town centre churches got together to organise the walk of witness as a reaction to the opening of shops and market stalls on Good Friday.

The procession, fronted by a cross, walked from the United Reformed Church to Bury Parish Church. Walkers mingled with shoppers who were marking the holy day in their own way.

There was a good turn out from members of Radcliffe's six Christian denominations for the town's annual walk of witness.

Following a rendezvous at St Mary's RC Church and an Easter presentation, dozens walked up Spring Lane and down to the Piazza.

There, the cross was placed and the churches joined together in an act of prayer and worship.

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