A bishop has got on his bike in support of the Sussex Historic Churches Trusts (SHCT).

The Bishop of Chichester Martin Warner cycled to five churches as part of this year’s annual Ride and Stride fundraising event.

He was accompanied by a group of cyclists from local churches in Lewes where the ride took place, including Christopher Whittick, chairman of trustees of SHCT and the Friar Canon Andrew Walker, Rector of St Michael’s.

The ride started at St John’s Church, Southover, where the group were welcomed by church members.

They then made their way up to St Anne’s church followed by St Michael’s in the High Street.

The bishop spent time looking around the churches and talking to the welcome desk volunteers before he continued on the route to St John Sub Castro.

The last stop was down in Cliffe High Street to visit St Thomas a Becket.

Mr Whittick said: “Bishop Martin’s visit to Lewes and initiation of this year’s Ride and Stride got the event off to a flying start and lifted spirits on a rather dull cloudy morning.

“Our route around the town’s historic churches reminded us of both a millennium of witness and the contemporary need to maintain their fabric, a need which the trust was established to fulfil.

“Everyone who took part in Ride and Stride will be raising much-needed funds.”