A NEW motorway bridge will be the focal point of an historic open-air service to mark the unification of nine churches within three denominations.

Hundreds of Christians from Darwen are expected to gather at Moss Bridge next Sunday afternoon and walk in procession to the M65 extension bridge, over the A666, for the service of inauguration.

The Rev Dick Cartmell, vicar of St James' Lower Darwen and chairman of the Darwen Ecumenical Partnership, says: "We all feel that the churches' partnership is a wonderful idea and wanted to mark the signing of the covenant with a special service.

"What better place than a vast new bridge taking a new highway through Darwen."

The nine churches in the partnership are Bolton Road, Central, Lower Chapel and Belthorn with Lower Darwen United Reformed churches, three Methodist churches, Spring Vale, Blackburn Road and Lower Darwen, and two Church of England churches, St James' Chapels and St James' Lower Darwen. Mr Cartmell said: "All the URC and Methodist churches in Darwen have joined and we are hoping that more of the C of E churches, and indeed the Roman Catholics, will join in the future. Obviously these things can't be rushed but we are hopeful."

He said the new group would be sharing teaching skills and organising joint training sessions for lay leadership.

There would be preaching workshops and a joining together in worship, social events and musical activities.

It was, he explained, an exercise in "gathering and sharing."

Bands and banners will lead the procession from the slip road entrance in Blackburn Road on to the motorway for the 2.30pm service.

There will be hymns and a picnic and fresh flowers will be placed on a special cross being prepared for the occasion.

Amec McAlpine are busily putting thee finishing touches to the motorway which runs from Whitebirk to the M61 and M6.

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