RAIL travel revivalists are set to dress up as priests and spread the word in towns across East Lancashire: Come and join our new Sunday services.

They will be bombarding local communities with leaflets containing the gospel according to the Rail Passenger Partnership.

The hit squad are donning the black cloth to help launch new journeys which will link East Lancashire with Manchester at regular intervals throughout the Sabbath.

Paul Bunting, commercial director with rail company First North Western said: "It's all done in the best possible taste. I doubt anyone will be offended."

And a spokesman for the Bishop of Blackburn added: "I'm sure Christians of all denominations will welcome improved rail services and greet the method of their promotion with an appropriate sense of humour."

The project was waved off yesterday by the Rail Passenger Partnership, which is a consortium comprising rail company First North Western, Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council and business group the East Lancashire Partnership. Paul Bunting, First North Western's commercial director, said: ""We've done the research and we believe the demand for new Sunday services is there.

The new all-year-round services will be introduced next Sunday, June 2, with hourly trains from Manchester to Blackburn and alternate hours to Clitheroe and Colne. Evening and late-night services are also being brought in -- offering congestion-free return from Commonwealth Games events in July and August.

A dedicated bus called the Ribble Valley Link will also be introduced on weekdays between Blackburn and Clitheroe to connect with the 11.10pm Manchester Victoria to Blackburn train.