A PEACE flame which was lit in Bethlehem arrived in Preston to promote the spirit and message of Christmas.

Now in its 11th year the Peace Light campaign began in Austria in 1990 as a means of raising funds for needy children.

After passing through Israel and several countries across Europe, the flame, similar to the Olympic torch, stopped off at Preston Railway Station on Tuesday December 18.

It was received by Preston's mayor, Councillor Alan Hackett, David Ridout of the 4th Fulwood Scouts, and the Rev Peter Sheasby, of Fulwood Methodist Church, who helped to organise the event.

The flame was passed on and other flames were lit to be used in church services across the borough, including the Candlelight Carol Service at 5.30pm on Sunday, December 23, at Fulwood Methodist Church, Watling Street Road, Fulwood, among others.

Rev Sheasby said: "Every day the media brings us news of the troubles in Bethlehem and between Israelis and Palestinians, so it will be right to offer our prayers for peace over the Christmas period when we celebrate the coming of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, at Bethlehem 2001 years ago."

The light has been coming to the UK since 1996, with the Deep Sea Scout Fellowship and the British Rail Scout Fellowship acting as couriers and escorts on its way across the country.

This year a Palestinian Scout lit the flame at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and carried it to the Israeli border where twin Israeli Girl Scouts collected it and took it to Tel Aviv Airport. The light was then flown to Linz in Austria from where it has spread across Europe.

Over the years it has been taken into Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Poland.

Organisers are hoping that it will reach Northern Ireland for the first time this year. After leaving Britain the flame will be taken to New York where it will be used at Ground Zero.