A FOLK musician is returning back to his roots to sing his way through a pilgrimage from his birthplace to where he was introduced to cider for the first time.

Phil Carr has lived in Finland for 20 years but is returning to Britain to walk from Lickey Hills in Birmingham to the Yew Tree Inn in Peterstow, near Ross-on-Wye.

He said: "I have been living in Finland for 20 years and so I see the walk as a lovely way to re-experience England.

"Therefore I want to make my trip a celebration of life, and I'd like to visit special places along the way, performing wherever I can."

On his 51st birthday on May 3 he will begin his walk.

In the evening he will arrive at the Bowling Green Inn in Stoke Prior where he will perform.

The next day he will sing at the Avoncroft Museum and then walk to Worcester.

Between Worcester and Ross Mr Carr is hoping that people will ask him to perform whether it is in restaurants, pubs, old people's homes or schools.

And on May 8 he will perform at The Yew Tree Inn, where he was first introduced to cider by Mike Johnson, who now runs the pub.

He said: "Mike was my sister's boyfriend those 30-odd years ago, and he had the task of entertaining me one summer Sunday lunchtime.

"So he showed me the lanes and the nature around his family farm, and we accidentally, maybe, ended up at the pub - as guests. It's only last year he became a landlord."

Mr Carr visited Finland in summer 1987 and had so much fun he returned the next year, when he decided to stay- his son, Charli, is now 23 years old.

He has been singing there ever since with his acoustic guitar - both as a solo artist and in bands.

Mr Carr has written several songs about life in Finland, including Rolling in the Snow (And Run Back to the Sauna).

If you would like Mr Carr to perform for you during his pilgrimage go to www.philcarr.eu for contact details.