AN Escot man has raised a grand total for local churches.

Jim Pearcy. 74, visited 132 places of worship by car, raising �1,250 for the Devon Historic Churches Trust.

On his first trip in 2005, he visited 41 and has made it an annual gesture. This year’s was the last, however, a decision Jim made after a knee operation in September 2009.

Jim, who has maintained Escot churchyard for 32 years, was joined for the second year in a row by Feniton churchwarden David Lanning. Their 160-mile one-day trip started in Escot and included Ottery, Hatherleigh, Ide, Exeter, Clyst Honiton and Aylesbeare. Among their stops was a synagogue and a Mormon church.

“We had intended to do 112 venues, but by the time we’d picked up the others we found on the way it came to 132,” said Jim.

The trust puts the funds it receives toward the upkeep of local churches. It gave �1,500 last year toward Escot church roof. Jim recently received a letter from its chairman thanking him for his efforts.

He said: “People have been very good-hearted with their sponsorship, and I’m really pleased with the amount we raised.”