FOOTBALL kits are being donated to young people in Jerusalem as part of a Middle East peace-keeping mission.

Canon Chris Chivers and Anjum Anwar from Blackburn Cathedral, are flying to Israel tomorrow for a nine day trip as peace ambassadors, on behalf of the Middle East Peace Initiative of the World Peace Federation.

Canon Chivers and Mrs Anwar, the cathedral's dialogue development officer, are among a delegation of other European political and religious leaders on the initiative which will include visits to Tiberius, Nazareth, Beth-lehem, Jerusalem and Ramallah.

Interfaith discussions and briefings will be held with Israeli and Palestinian authority ministers, officials, media and religious leaders.

The ambassadors will encourage the work of Palestinian and Israeli community non-govern-mental organisations working for peace and reconciliation.

Shirts and shorts donated by Blackburn Rovers will be given to the young people in Jerusalem whose artwork was recently displayed in Blackburn Cathedral as part of the Gap in the Wall exhibition.

Canon Chivers, said: "Our visit is a chance to listen to people at the grassroots in one of the world's most complex conflict situations, and to nurture seeds of hope and peace.

"We go at a time of great tension and expectation, now Israeli and Palestinian leaders have committed to a peace process.

"We hope we can play a small part in this process, with the help of people of faith."