JESUS Christ's walk to the cross will be commemorated in Ilkley this week.

The town's annual Easter march, organised by Churches Together in Ilkley, takes place on Good Friday, April 14.

The procession will start outside All Saints Church, on New Brook Street, at 11am before moving into the Central Car Park and on to the train station approach.

Marchers will then make their way to the recently raised cross at the top of Brook Street, and then to the Bandstand and the Canker Well, on The Grove.

At each of the six locations there will be a reading, undertaken by a speaker from each of the town's churches, recalling Jesus's journey to Calvary, followed by the singing of a Passiontide hymn.

This year's march will be led by someone carrying a brand new wooden cross that was specially made by a prisoner in Wakefield Prison - in reference to the two prisoners who were crucified with Christ.

Then at dawn on Easter Sunday the annual Sunrise service will be held at the Cow and Calf Rocks to celebrate the resurrection.

Chairman of Churches Together Ilkley, Reverend Dick Watson, said: "These Easter events are very moving and people from all walks of life are welcome to join in these landmark events at this time of the year.

"We are grateful to the Parish Council for again erecting the Cross at the top of Brook St which is such a focal point for residents and the many visitors to Ilkley over the Easter holiday period, reminding all of the cost of our freedom and the message of our redemption."

The Easter Sunday service will be led by Reverend David Callendar of Ilkley Baptist Church.