NEARLY 500 joined a unique service on the motorway bridge over the A666 on Sunday to launch the Darwen Churches' Partnership which brought together nine different churches.

The Rev Dick Cartmell, vicar of St James' Lower Darwen, is chairman of the partnership. He said: "It was a wonderful day. Hundreds turned out - and so did the sun. Right on cue!"

Mr Cartmell also paid a warm tribute to the local media who had helped to publicise the event. "It was a real team operation right from the start," he said. "And it all went off without a hitch."

The Church of England, the United Reformed Church and the Methodist Church are represented in the partnership which will offer a unique sharing of skills and understanding between the churches and their members.

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