GLOBETROTTING Christian faith healer the Rev Melvin Banks stopped off in Accrington to try and take away people's pain.

Mr Banks, an ordained Pentecostal minister, visited the town to perform a healing session.

More than 80 people of differing faiths attended Emmanuel Pentecostal Church, Oxford Street.

Mr Banks, who has been featured in national newspapers and on TV, claims to be able to heal ill and disabled people with his gift.

The 61-year-old, who hails from Wiltshire, was in town as part of his Gospel Healing Crusade worldwide mission.

Mr Banks said: "All sorts of people come along, and not all of them are regular churchgoers.

"I pray for people and then touch their heads. I feel a tremendous heat flow through me.

"The person I am touching says it hits them as quick as lightning, but it doesn't hurt. I don't necessarily touch the part of the body that's injured.

"Lots of people came without knowing what to expect. But afterwards, a lot were walking without pain.

"There was a great warmth in the church and most people went away feeling happy."

"I'm not saying people are totally cured, and always I tell them to go back to their doctors for follow-up treatment.

"But a lot of doctors have said that things like asthma and arthritis seemed to improve after patients came to the mission.

"About two thirds of people who come to see us have responded positively to the healing."

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