A PENDLE church has stepped in to help in the foot and mouth crisis -- by calling on the power of prayer.

Nelson Independent Methodist chapel has organised a Day of Prayer on Saturday April 7 and is calling on people to visit the Netherfield Road chapel to add their thoughts and prayers for an early end to the crisis which has caused havoc among farming communities all over the country.

East Lancashire has remained relatively unscathed by foot and mouth disease which has resulted in the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of sheep and cattle.

But the church's prayer day co-ordinator Philip Rowland says the crisis has brought deeply-felt concern throughout the nation.

"We felt we must do something to help and the best way was through prayer."

He said the prayer day from 10am to 4pm was open to all and had the support of most local churches.

"We would welcome anyone to come and add their prayers to support those affected by the terrible disease," he added.