A group of youngsters has made a journey of discovery through the ruins of an ancient abbey.

Hundreds of pupils from schools across the county have been exploring the lifestyle of a medieval monk at Jervaulx Abbey.

They were taking part in Lifepath, a Scripture Union schools initiative in partnership with local churches.

They became pilgrims for a day as they explored a monk's life through games, art, crafts, music, storytelling, prayer and drama.

Their pilgrim guides and activity workshops leaders, all dressed in medieval-style monks' habits, were drawn from a team of about 50 Scripture Union volunteers.

Privately-owned Jervaulx Abbey was offered for use by owner Ian Burdon after the Scripture Union's staff member for Yorkshire, Piers Lane, showed him pictures of a similar event last year at Durham Cathedral.

Mr Lane said that with its grassy nooks and crannies, the abbey was the ideal place to explore the Christian faith with a monastic theme.

"It's a place of imagination where the sky is the limit. Jervaulx draws imaginative responses from the children," he said.