RICHARD PARR Thousands of Sri Lankan Tamils are expected to travel to Walsingham at the weekend for their annual pilgrimage.Around 5,000 Tamils, from the London area and the Midlands, are due to take part in Sunday's pilgrimage to the national Roman Catholic Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.

RICHARD PARR

Thousands of Sri Lankan Tamils are expected to travel to Walsingham at the weekend for their annual pilgrimage.

Around 5,000 Tamils, from the London area and the Midlands, are due to take part in Sunday's pilgrimage to the national Roman Catholic Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.

They will process along part of the Holy Mile and gather at the Slipper Chapel for the Mass at 1pm followed by the Benediction.

Last night a senior police officer reassured the public that the pilgrimage would be adequately and discreetly policed with extra officers and air support.

The move follows the pilgrimage of five years ago when violence flared on Wells beach between two groups of rival Tamils.

Inspector Clive Beesom said his officers were not expecting any trouble: "Norfolk police wish to make it as comfortable a day as we can for the Tamil pilgrimage."