Twin monastic sites are to be linked again by a route which follows the steps of 7th Century pilgrims.

The 12-mile long Bede's Way will allow people to walk between the Anglo-Saxon monastery sites of St Peter's in Wearmouth in Sunderland and St Paul's in Jarrow on South Tyneside.

The development is part of the campaign to have the destinations designated as a world heritage site.

Bede's Way will be launched on Saturday, September 4, by parties which will leave each site and meet on Cleadon Hills for an afternoon of Anglo-Saxon events and entertainment.

The route follows a safe path through the Great North Forest taking in the River Don and Robin Hood pub in Jarrow, Boldon's Tilesheds nature reserve, Colliery Wood which is being created from the site of the former Boldon Colliery, Cleadon listed water pumping station and windmill, Whitburn and Seaburn.

The project is backed by Sunderland and South Tyneside councils, St Peter's and St Paul's churches, Tyne and Wear Rural Transport Partnership, Wearmouth-Jarrow Candidate World Heritage Site Bid and the Great North Forest.

Project spokeswoman Sandra Reddie said: "People will be able to enjoy a walk in the footsteps of Bede to link the two communities once more.

"The Bede's Way launch event is a fantastic opportunity to link the past, present and promote the future of the candidate World Heritage Site of Wearmouth-Jarrow.

"We have planned this free, fun event to provide local people with a tangible link to their heritage and hope many of them will join us in this inaugural walk.

"Bede's Way is not only steeped in rich cultural and industrial heritage but also features varied and notable natural landscapes."

St Peter's was founded by Benedict Biscop in 674 and St Paul's was created about eight years later.

Bede was educated in the monastery from the age of seven and became one of the leading scholars in Europe .

The buildings of the twin monasteries were among the first stone structures in Anglo-Saxon Northumbria and St Paul's contains the oldest church dedication stone in England.

Free return transport to the starting points is available at 4pm on the launch day but booking is essential. Places are limited and are offered on a first come, first served basis.

Booking forms are available from Healthworks, 59 Fowler Street, South Shields or the Sunderland Tourist Information Centre, Fawcett Street, Sunderland.