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A GROUP of pilgrims set off from Winchester today(Wednesday, September 17) aiming to trek to Mont St Michel in Normandy.

Several dignitaries came to wish them well, including the Dean of Winchester Cathedral, the Very Rev James Atwell.

He blessed the group outside the cathedral, which was the start point for their 155-mile journey, which is expected to take 13 days.

He then joined them on the first leg of their journey, which led them to the historic Hospital of St Cross on the city's southern outskirts.

Vice-President of the Basse Normandie Regional Council, Philippe Bonneau, and deputy leader of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Roy Perry, also joined the first part of the walk.

John Cawley, 75, from Colden Common, is leading the 18-strong party of English and French pilgrims.

He is a veteran of treks to Mont St Michel, having already walked there six times since the route from Hampshire was set out with new marker posts in 1999.

He said: "This is one of the highlights of the year for me.

"I will be meeting up with French and English walkers who I have completed the walk with ever year since it opened, so it's like going home when I arrive in Mont St Michel.

"The walk will take around 13 days in total, with three days in England and 10 days in France, and my favourite part is definitely walking across the bay at Mont St Michel."

Their path through Hampshire will lead them to Bishop's Waltham then Southwick and on to Portsmouth.

They are tackling the walk as part of the 1300th anniversary celebrations of the formation of Mont St Michel.

When they arrive, they are due to be joined by other pilgrims from across Europe to commemorate St Michael's Day on Monday, September 29.

12:08pm Wednesday 17th September 2008

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