Easter crosses to be absent over safety concerns

The size of the three crosses means that they can normally be seen by motorists on the M5 motorway

Easter crosses will not appear on a Somerset hill for the first time in years.

Every Palm Sunday in the last few years three wooden crosses have been placed on top of Brent Knoll to mark Easter week.

But following recent "adverse weather conditions" and a lack of volunteers, organisers have decided to cancel the annual tradition this year.

Churches Together in Burnham and Highbridge has said the safety of walkers has to be considered.

Pat Nicholls, chairman of Churches Together in Burnham and Highbridge, said: "I know people are disappointed as we all love to see the crosses but we have to be careful, especially as lots of elderly attend the event."

"If there is lots of rain before, it means that the condition of the knoll can become very slippery and unsafe."

Ms Nicholls added: "We also had difficulty finding enough people to help and so we made a mutual decision to cancel the Easter crosses this year."

The organisers hope that people will support the annual Good Friday Walk of Witness through Burnham, which starts at Our Lady and The English Martyrs Church in Highbridge Road at 11:00 GMT on Friday.

The route will go through Pier Street and along the Esplanade to St Andrew’s Church. A cross will be carried with stops made for reading the Passion story.

Reverend Rob Howlett, from the Baptist Church, will lead the walk, with refreshments available at the end courtesy of St Andrew’s Church.