A FAITH trail exploring the religious heritage and history of Poole has been officially launched.

Dozens of people took part in the guided walks on Saturday which lasted about an hour and ended at Poole Museum.

The museum in Poole High Street, also hosted an afternoon tea to mark the occasion.

Alison Dalton, of the Bridging Communities team, came up with the idea for the trail at a community meeting in 2010.

Since then, the Rotary Club of Poole Bay, Penny Elliot – of Churches Together – and Poole Museum staff have all worked to make the trial a reality.

A leaflet has also been produced to accompany the short walk, which features a number of religious buildings and some sites whose history is not as widely known.

Don Nutt, of the Rotary Club of Poole Bay, said: “We have been working with the council on this over the past two-and-a-half years. The idea is that Poole’s history will be laid out on a walk around Old Town and the High Street.”

Buildings included on the trial include The Salvation Army Citadel, St James’ Church and The St George’s Almshouses.

Don said: “The trail is full of Poole’s rich history and there are many hidden gems. Not everyone will know that where the Oriel Restaurant is today, on the corner of the Quay and Castle Street, there was once a Seaman’s Mission.

“There is a mural about it on the wall inside the ground floor of the restaurant.”