HALFWAY through the interview with Mark Ritchie, an evangelist who is "putting the cross in front of Britain" by walking 700 miles with it strapped to his back, he was interrupted by a taxi driver.

"He's just asked my friend, 'What is that then?' and given us two pounds!"

This is one example of the "curiosity" that Mr Ritchie has encountered since he set out on his route from Brighton to Edinburgh, and Wrexham to Hull, on Sunday of last week.

The Cross Britain mission started when Mr Ritchie, leader of the evangelistic organisation 73rd Trust, was praying and "felt led to walk into the room and put the cross down in the middle. . . This is what God has put in my heart to do - to put the cross in front of Britain."

During his 70-day journey, he will host 30 events with the aim of reaching more than 7000 people. The cross he is carrying is made of mesh wire and contains Post-it notes on which people have written "their baggage and stuff and sins".

Aware of the stereotype of the street evangelist preaching hellfire and brimstone, Mr Ritchie said that it had been encouraging to see passers-by want to know more about the mission.

On Friday, Mr Ritchie was due to be in Milton Keynes.

Follow his route at: www.crossbritain.co.uk.