A COOLING breeze encouraged more than 40 walkers to raise cash to keep a centre for the unemployed in existence.

The annual churches walk for the BCU Life Skills Centre in Bexleyheath took to the streets at St John's Church, Danson Lane, Welling, with Bexley's mayor Councillor John Shepheard leading the way.

Walking with him were parishioners from churches across the borough, as well as the Venerable Paul Wright, Archdeacon of Bexley and Bromley, and the Rev Dick Johnson, Bexley's industrial chaplain and chairman of the centre's management committee.

Cllr Shepheard left the walk at Holy Redeemer Church in Days Lane, Blackfen, where walkers were treated to refreshments before moving on again.

There was a second stop at the United Reformed Church, Hurst Road, Bexley, before the Rev Francis Jakeman, vicar of Christ Church in Bexleyheath Broadway, joined the walk until the finish at the centre in Pincott Hall, behind his church.

Walkers on the nine-mile route included four children, someone recovering from surgery 12 days earlier and a dog. It is hoped the event will raise more than £8,000.