A teenager has embarked on a 70-mile pilgrimage to help fund church renovations.

Billy Baker, 16, set off from Carlisle Cathedral this week, determined to raise money for the All Saints Church in Youlgrave, a Grade I Listed Building in the Peak District village.

The church, which has been a place of worship since 1155, is in need of kitchen facilities, heating, and toilets to ensure its sustainability and make it "more welcoming".

Billy's journey will take him along Hadrian's Wall between the cathedrals of Carlisle and Newcastle, along the network of footsteps connecting all of the country's 42 Anglican Cathedrals to Youlgrave.

His mother, Saffron, is supporting him along the way, while his father, Fred Baker, will join him for the final stretch.

Billy was set on his way by Canon Benjamin of Carlisle Cathedral.

Billy's mother, Saffron, said: "I walked Hadrian’s Wall with a friend nearly 20 years ago so it’s lovely to be back in such sunny conditions exploring a bit more of the wider area and chatting to folks along the way."

The Pommie Pilgrims are creating a network of footsteps linking Youlgrave with all 42 Anglican Cathedrals in England.

They hope to raise £42,000 towards the renovations at All Saints Church, the full cost of which is still being researched.

The pilgrims plan to walk around the country, collecting donations at each cathedral.

They invite the clergy at each cathedral to welcome them and share in a service.

Rev Canon Jane Clay, chair of the Pommie Pilgrimage organising group, said: "Our hope to connect Youlgrave with each Cathedral in the country via pilgrimage is a huge challenge and feels like an impossible task, but one step at a time, together, we’ll get there.

"We’re not expecting to raise this amount of money by being sponsored a penny a mile, but if you’re able to spend more than a penny for our loos, please do get in touch."

The church in Youlgrave has been a place of worship since 1155 and has undergone many alterations over the years.

It was featured in Simon Jenkins’ book ‘England’s Thousand Best Churches’.