A WALK highlighting the need for peace and world unity took place on the streets of York to mark World Religion Day.

Led by members of the Baha'i community in York, the non-political walk aimed to bring the oneness of humanity to the attention of the public.

It started at about 1pm on Saturday at St William's College, went through the city centre and ended at the Friends' Meeting House in Friargate, where there was a talk and refreshments.

The theme of the walk, as proclaimed on a banner, was: 'The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens."

Patricia Castle, secretary of the committee which oversees the Baha'i community in York, said the walk went very well.

She said: "We do something for World Religion Day every year, but this is the first time we've had a walk.

"There were a lot of people staring and wondering what we were all about, but we had leaflets that explained.

"We had quite a few young people wanting to join in for a bit.

"We shall be doing something next year, but I don't yet know what that will be."

The Baha'i faith was founded in 1844 in Persia, now Iran, and is considered the most recent of world religions. Members meet on the first day of the month, of which there are 19 each year, each 19 days long, for a service of worship, readings from Baha'i scriptures and music.

Updated: 10:35 Monday, January 21, 2002