A SIMPLE wooden cross, a big, heavy cross, led a good procession up through Crediton calling at each church during the Good Friday Procession of Witness.

It began at the St Boniface Roman Catholic Church on Park Road, the National Shrine of St Boniface, born in Crediton in 650 and described by some as "the greatest Englishman".

Here everyone joined singing "There is a green hill far away" followed by prayers before walking in silence behind the cross.

From there the cross led them to Crediton Parish Church, the Church of the Holy Cross and the Mother of Him who Hung Thereon and another short service with prayers and a Reading, starting with "My song is love unknown."

At Crediton Methodist Church on Union Road all sang "Sometimes they strew His way" before a Reading and prayers then to follow the cross to the town square where "When I survey the wondrous cross" was sung and an Address on what it means to witness given by Roman Catholic Deacon Lester Yeo.

At the Congregational Church on the High Street "I cannot tell why, He whom angels worship" was sung to the Londonderry Air, as moving as any of the hymns sung that morning.

People were invited inside the church for tea, coffee and hot cross buns, being told that it is said if you share a hot cross bun on Good Friday you will have peace with that person all year. However, it was added that this has not been scientifically proven.

Cross Bearers were John Musty, Neil and Cilla Butterfield, Simon Crawford-Leighton and Richard Bowden. One, who does this every year, said it was a very emotional experience.

Neil Butterfield read the Scripture at the Catholic Church, Robin Lavery at the parish church where prayers were led by the Curate the Rev Helen Drever, the Rev Ann Varker at the Methodist Church and Pastor James Gregory at the Congregational Church.

As with other years, it seemed more people than ever had joined the Procession. The Procession of Witness was organised by Christians Together in Crediton.

Carrying their banners were Hannah Smith and Sarah Preece and Eileen Brassington and Caroline Smith.