A celebratory Pilgrimage Walk takes place tomorrow, celebrating both the 750th Anniversary of Salisbury Cathedral and the 35th Anniversary of the special link between the Diocese and the Episcopal Church of Sudan.

Starting from the site of the original Cathedral at Old Sarum the pilgrimage will follow a route along footpaths and Water Meadows to the "new" Cathedral Close, and is expected to feature over 1000 pilgrims from across the diocese.

The Pilgrimage reaches its climax with a celebration held outside the West Front of the Cathedral, led by the Bishop of Sherborne, The Rt Revd Tim Thornton.

The 35th Anniversary of the Salisbury-Sudan link will be marked by the blessing of a newly-commissioned statue for the Cathedral's West Front depicting Canon Ezra, a 20th century Sudanese martyr.

Music set for jazz band, soloists, chorus, choir, dancers and drummers will enable the whole audience to get involved.

The day starts at 10.30am with an event at Old Sarum led by the Bishop of Ramsbury, the Rt Revd Stephen Conway.

He will be joined by the Bishop of Sherborne, the newly elected Archbishop of the Sudan, the Most Revd Daniel Deng, the Anglican Bishops of the Sudan and pilgrims from parishes, schools and youth groups within the large Salisbury diocese.

Following a short service and a dramatic re-enactment of the medieval episode when Bishops were driven out of Old Sarum by Norman warriors, the Pilgrimage will begin, led by the Bishops.

Music will be provided at Old Sarum and in the Cathedral Close by the marching band of the band of the 6th Battalion, The Rifles. Pilgrims have created staffs and banners to form a "river of colour" as they walk.

On arrival at The Close further entertainment will be provided by live street drama and Morris Dancers. The Cathedralís Education Centre hosts a photographic exhibition of recent images from the Sudan by graphic designer Richard Budd and there will be stalls selling Sudanese crafts. Over 800 have already registered to join the pilgrimage but many more are expected to simply join in on the day.

Bishop Stephen, said "750 years ago, after a period of conflict and uncertainty, Bishop Richard Poore the then Bishop of Salisbury had a vision not just for a new Cathedral but for a whole new city as a pledge of confidence in God's generosity."