A SALISBURY man conquered a 165-mile pilgrimage in just one week, visiting four cathedrals along the way, in a bid to raise funds for a parish hall refurbishment.

Neil Turpin, aged 49, completed seven 23 mile days of walking to tackle the target, departing from Canterbury on April 14 and arriving in Salisbury on Easter Sunday.

The challenge has so far raised around £5,000 for Harnham Parish Hall and this will be added to the hall's fundraising target of £200,000.

During the walk Neil enjoyed the cathedral sights in Canterbury, Guildford, Winchester and Salisbury, and said he was "chuffed" to complete the feat, adding: "It is a long way - most of the books I had read about the route suggest it should take a couple of weeks and I did it in half the time which is quite an achievement.

"It was tiring, especially nearing the end. The toughest day was when I walked from Reigate to Guildford as Box Hill was on the route, and going all the way up and all the way again was harder than I once thought."

The money raised will help transform the parish hall, by adding more flexible meeting spaces, a new fully equipped kitchen and a modern parish office, as well as becoming more environmentally friendly.

"Raising this money is a small step and I'm pleased I've been able to help," Neil added.

After months of training, each day Neil was able to walk between eight and ten hours, covering around four miles an hour.

He said: "My initial concern was that I knew I could walk 23 miles a day, but I had never done it for seven consecutive days.

"By the end of each day I was quite tired and stiff but after a good nights sleep I was refreshed and ready for the following day.

"I've never been so pleased to see Salisbury Cathedral, now I'll be giving my walking boots a rest."

To sponsor Neil now he has completed the challenge, visit his Go Fund Me page.