THE Devon Historic Churches Day takes place on Saturday, with many churches across the area open to visitors and those taking part in the Ride and Stride fundraising event.

Ride and Stride invites people from across the country to take part in a sponsored walk or cycle ride between churches in the area to raise money for the Devon Historic Churches Trust. The trust is a voluntary organisation that raises money for the restoration and maintenance of historic churches and chapels, supported by the National Churches Trust.

Participants get to visit local historic churches, enjoy refreshments on the way around and enjoy the scenery as they cycle or walk from church to church. It has become an annual nationwide event since it began in Suffolk in 1981.

Churches open and offering refreshments in the area include St Mary's Church in Belstone, St Mary's in Bratton Clovelly, St John's Church in Hatherleigh, St Michael and All Angels Church in Meeth, and St Peter's Church in North Tawton.

To find out how to take part in Ride and Stride and raise money for your local churches, or to find a guide of all the churches open in the area, visit http://www.devonhistoricchurches.co.uk">www.devonhistoricchurches.co.uk