SHOPPERS were pew-ing up for their daily bread when Asda hosted the first-ever supermarket worship.

Visitors to the Fulwood store on Monday left their trolleys in the aisles to give a holy new meaning to service with a smile.

It is the first ever Christian celebration to take place in a supermarket and will be broadcast on the That's Esther TV programme later in the year. It was conducted by Father Damian Feeney, the new mission priest for Longsands.

Fr Damian, 36, who will take up his post in June, said: "I am looking forward to beginning my time in Longsands and I think this is an excellent way to continue the valuable work which has already started in the area."

While this week's service was well attended, Fr Damian is expecting many more people to attend his next in-store service on June 22 when he will be licensed to practice by the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters.

Fr Damian added: "I would be delighted if as many people as possible from our new community could join us for what should be a very special and unique occasion.

"I can only thank the store for their eager and sensitive co-operation."

After that service, weekly services will take place in the Asda Cafe for local Christians and Bishop Chesters was quick to point out they won't be a gimmick.

He said: "They are unusual services but they won't be a just a novelty.

"They will express the heart of all we do, which is to share our Christian faith with people in the community."

Nigel Lynch, the deputy store manager at Asda, said: "This event brings a new meaning to our philosophy of service with personality.

"Asda aims to be at the heart of local communities and we are delighted to help support Fr Damian's arrival."

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