A LOCAL church is planning a prayer marathon and asking for help from the people of Rawtenstall.

Kay Street Baptist Church is holding the prayer marathon over five days this month and are asking the town's folk to send them their requests on a prayer phone line.

The event is entitled "18:5" as it runs 18 hours a day, 5 days a week, and will take place from January 6 to 11, in the church prayer room.

Starting at 8pm until midnight on Sunday 6th January, the "week of prayer" will run from 6am to midnight, Monday to Thursday and will close on Friday at 6pm with a special prayer celebration.

Members of the church will take turns in maintaining the marathon, praying privately and saying prayers on behalf of those who have made special requests.

Minister Adrian Argile said: "We will be talking to God and seeking His help for our world, our nation, our community, our church, our families and individuals.

"We would especially like local people to let us know what concerns they have and what they would appreciate prayer for."

A leaflet is being distributed this week to households in the vicinity of Kay Street Baptist Church which will ask people to either fill in the slip with their prayer requests and pop it through the church letterbox, phone the prayer line on 01706 213725, or call in the church between those times where there will be someone on hand to pray with them if they so wish.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

The initiative kicks off a calendar of events being held at Kay Street Baptist Church in January.

On Saturday January 12 there will be a music and worship workshop led by well known Christian worship leader Geraldine Latty and on January 14 the start of an Alpha Course which will run for 10 weeks.