A GROUP of local churches has launched a set of leaflets to introduce tourists and other visitors to churches in the area.

Titled 'A Spiritual Gateway to Dartmoor', the professionally-designed leaflets guide readers as to how to get the most out of a visit to a church, and provide a map suggesting routes to be taken between all team parishes.

Produced for the churches of the Northmoor Team Ministry, the leaflets are designed by Ken Wright and funded by contributions from the parishes and a grant from the Jerusalem Trust.

The Rev Stuart Wilson said: 'The idea of the project is to make churches and the Christian faith more accessible and understandable and to show that these historic monuments contain treasures of faith and history.'

The leaflets are a set of three, covering three distinctive local areas; Germansweek, Bratton Clovelly, Bridestowe, Lydford and Sourton in the first leaflet, Okehampton, Belstone, Sticklepath and Inwardleigh in the second leaflet and Hatherleigh, Meeth, Exbourne, Jacobstowe and Northlew in the third leaflet. Common to each leaflet is a fold-out map page, a feature entitled 'Take a Walk on the Spiritual Side' and an introduction to the Christian faith.

Inside these leaflets each of the churches mentioned is featured prominently, with beautiful colour pictures of the churches and some of their special features like Meeth's angels and roof bosses, Belstone's granite cross, and Sourton's Charles II coat of arms. To go with the pictures are a description of each church, its history and points of interest.

The leaflets will be distributed widely throughout our area, and each church will be given a stock of these to display and use locally.

Team vicar the Rev John Davies said: 'The leaflets share the story of our churches and our faith in an appealing way. We invite all local pubs, hotels, guest houses, libraries and other outlets to stock them to share with visitors to our area and local people interested in exploring these gems. Most of our churches are open daily for people to visit.'

Leaflets and information can be obtained from the local churches, or from the Rev Stuart Wilson on [email protected]">[email protected] or by calling 01837 871248.