MORE than 200 people from churches across Keighley packed into the town's Airedale Shopping Centre for a Good Friday service.

The event – staged by Keighley Churches Together (KCT) – included singing, readings and personal stories.

Among those present was the Bishop of Bradford, the Right Rev Toby Howarth, who spoke to the many shoppers who stopped to join in.

"God really loves Keighley," he said.

"On Good Friday we remember how Jesus gave up his life for us by dying on the cross and we need to respond to that by letting go of things that hold us back."

Town chaplain, the Rev Dr Jonathan Pritchard, said: "It was lovely to hear such a crowd singing Easter hymns together and there was a real sense of worship."

Keighley's team rector, the Rev Mike Cansdale, said there was a unity across the churches.

He added: "It was great to welcome Bishop Toby to Keighley and to see so many different churches represented to mark this special day.

"There is a real sense of something new that God is doing in our town."

During the service, KCT distributed Easter eggs and palm crosses to shoppers.