THE Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Tom Wright, joined walkers who gathered in his back garden for the Traidcraft Great North Walk.

The bishop began his ministry with a week-long walk around the diocese.

Yesterday, after he hosted a service in the chapel, he pulled on his walking boots again and headed for the starting line, in the grounds of Auckland Castle, so he could complete the eight-mile route.

He said: "The castle and grounds belong to the people of County Durham, so the walk was a wonderful opportunity to make that a reality.

"It also created an opportunity to support so many good causes that people raised money for.

"It was a privilege to take part. I love this part of the country so it was a chance to get out there and meet people."

He was joined on the first stretch of the route by Lalit Molasi, a craft producer from India who was visiting the UK for the first time.

Mr Molasi is the production manager of the Shoraff Self Help Centre, in Bombay, which produces textiles for Traidcraft.

As one of 60 major producers for the company and charity, he was invited to view the work that event sponsor Traidcraft does at the opposite end of the market, and received training to help his centre thrive.

He said: "It is very nice that people here support Traidcraft, which helps people as far away as India and China.

"My father died when I was eight and I was responsible for my two brothers and two sisters, so Traidcraft's help to make the centre meant I could look after them better.

"They have enabled us to help lots of people, especially women, to make a living and get a better life."

Read more about the Chance to Live campaign here.