THE public are being canvassed to come on down to a huge Christian mission tent in Accrington.

The 500-seater marquee, decorated with bunting, has been erected in the grounds of Rough Lee nursing home and will be there until Sunday.

The mission has been set up by the Northern Evangelical Trust for Christ Church and Woodnook Baptist Church.

Christ Church's vicar, the Rev Kevin Logan, said: "We want to communicate what Christianity is to people who don't normally come to church and one way is to go onto neutral territory.

"Putting a big marquee up in the middle of a community generates interest."

Hour-long meetings of drama, stories and music, are being held in the tent between 7.30 and 8.30pm tonight and on Friday and Saturday.

A children's holiday club is also running with games, quizzes and bible stories between 10.30am and 12 noon from tomorrow through to Friday.

Tomorrow night at 8pm, local personalities will make up an "Any Questions" panel to discuss questions on life with a Christian perspective, with audience participation and a free buffet.

The line-up will include former Burnley soccer star Eddie Cliff, Julie Jones from Hyndburn Victim Support Scheme, Blackburn market businessman Duncan Acton, Oswald- twistle doctor Angela Parry, and African evangelist Augustine.

On the final Sunday, there will be a joint service of celebration at 11am.

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