A CHRISTIAN mission along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal through East Lancashire has been officially launched by the Bishop of Blackburn.

The Right Rev Alan Chesters was at Barrowford Locks to re-dedicate a narrowboat called Fishers of Men, which went on a 20-mile prayer cruise along the waterway today in preparation for the arrival of international evangelist Luis Palau.

He is coming to East Lancashire in May to lead a major evangelical mission involving events and churches across the area.

Christians from across the North West manned the boat, named after Jesus's call to His disciples to become "fishers of men", as it made its way along the canal.

The cruise was starting at the locks this morning. Its itinerary was Nelson, Burnley, Accrington, Oswaldtwistle and Rishton ending at Eanam, Blackburn.

About 200 people were expected to take turns aboard the boat as it made its journey to pray for the mission.

The Rev Richard Priestley, a member of the prayer cruise organising team, said: "We were delighted that the Bishop agreed to re-dedicate the Northern Evangelical Trust owned barge at this time.

"I am reminded that the Bishop took part in the original dedication ten years ago when we first acquired the boat. Since then it has been used extensively by Christians in the North West."

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