The spirit of Methodist leader John Wesley returned yesterday to the gnarled thorn tree under which he first preached in a tiny dales village.

The Reverend Les Hann, Methodist minister in Weardale, County Dur-ham, re-enacted the great missionary's journey of 250 years ago on horseback and in pouring rain.

Hundreds gathered outside High House Chapel, in Ireshopeburn, to greet Mr Hann, followed by a local group of Sunday school children, called Kids on Sunday, for a special anniversary service.

Unlike Wesley, however, Mr Hann did not travel miles across wild, wind-swept fells to reach the chapel, built next to the famous thorn tree.

It was only the second time he had been in the saddle and he settled for a more "gentle journey" of just over half-a-mile from Ireshopeburn.

Mr Hann, dressed in black cloak and three-cornered hat, was lent a black fell pony he christened Ned for his historic trip.

"He's a lovely lad - and the ride proved no problem," said the minister, alighting to cheers and clapping from the biggest congregation he has preached to for years.

Among that congregation was the Government's Chief Whip and local MP, Hilary Armstrong, a life-long Methodist.

She recalled how her father, Ernest, a veteran lay preacher, had been vice-president of the Methodist Conference - the highest post that can be held by a lay person.