THE Bishop of Manchester has likened the church to football.

Officiating at a confirmation service at Tyldesley Parish Church, the Rt Rev Christopher Mayfield, said that with Christian values we need to be on the pitch, as in soccer, and take part in the game.

He said: "We should involve ourselves in the church and not stand on the sidelines complaining about what should be done."

He added that by becoming confirmed the children and adults had now become full members of the church, and they should now involve themselves in its future.

The Bishop also took time out to sign the children's bibles.

The Bishop is pictured with children who were confirmed at St George's Church, Tyldesley.Pand A Photographic Services

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.