The Bishop of Carlisle walked into a protest this week during his Lent walk, when supporters of troubled priest the Rev Harry Brown confronted him with placards.

Holding signs that said "Where is the care?", "Is this justice?" and "Talk with us", around 20 demonstrators joined the Rt Rev Graham Dow in Levens village, and again near Levens Hall.

They were also expected to appear at other points on the bishop's walk.

The protesters declined to talk about their actions, but have previously said that they believe the bishop should have diverted his walk, which is round the whole perimeter of the diocese, to call at the "troubled parishes" of Crosscrake and Preston Patrick.

They are supporting Mr Brown, priest-in-charge of Crosscrake and Preston Patrick, who is appealing to the Archbishop of York against a decision by the Bishop of Carlisle to revoke his licence.

The protesters, who have already put up a sign on the A65 at Endmoor saying "Bishop's walk bypasses troubled parishes", stood with their placards as the bishop passed near Levens Hall.

He gave them each a commemorative bookmark.

Although the protesters said their placards carried their messages, one man, who asked not to be named, said of Mr Brown's appeal: "It's gone out of his (the Bishop of Carlisle's) hands but at least we might make him reflect a little."

The bishop said it was decided a year ago he would go round the perimeter of the diocese for his 320-mile walk and Crosscrake and Preston Patrick were not on the route.

When asked about the protesters' grievances and Mr Brown's appeal, the bishop said: "The procedure is designed to be as fair as possible and it's been in the hands of lawyers for some time.

I hope it will speed up.