TEENAGERS are re-enacting St Cuthbert’s final journey to Durham Cathedral to mark their school’s 600th anniversary.

Pupils from Durham School started a 100-mile hike from Lindisfarne to Durham tonight (Tuesday, June 24), donning long robes and carrying a replica coffin as they started across the Holy Island causeway to mark the occasion, hundreds of years ago, when early Christian monks fled Viking invasions of the North-East coast, taking their revered saint’s remains with them.

The three-day pilgrimage will end back at school on Thursday evening, when the youngsters will again put on their monks’ robes and stage a procession up to Durham Cathedral for a special 600th anniversary service.

Organiser Hugh Dias, an English teacher, said: “They’re all very excited. It’s been very well received.”

Eight staff and 24 pupils, aged 14 to 18, are taking part. Teams of six pupils will each walk for six hours straight, before handing over to another group for the next leg.

Thursday’s celebrations will also include an RAF flypast, a whole-school photo with pupils spelling out ‘600’ on the Masters’ Green and the procession through Durham city centre, which is scheduled to leave the school at about 6.25pm.

Imogen Hurst, 14, said: “I feel honoured to be taking part. It’s part of our heritage. It’s good to have the opportunity to do it.”

Lewis Carney, 15, said: “I’m looking forward to it. It’s good to be celebrating the 600th anniversary.”