CHURCHES in Cross Hills and the surrounding district are joining forces for a ‘Songs of Praise’ style event this summer.

And they have appealed to people to make sure the occasion, at 3pm on Sunday July 9 in Sutton Park, features the songs of worship that residents would like to hear.

Anyone living in the area is invited to vote for their favourite hymns and worship songs, and the most popular will be sung on the day.

Voting can be done in person at any of the local churches, in Cross Hills Library or at Sutton Convenience Store.

Alternatively, people can vote online at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HS8JF66 Voting is open until 4pm on Monday June 19.

As well as people's best-loved hymns, as voted for in the poll, Praise in the Park will feature community brass band, Sutton’s Got Brass, and a choir made up of children from primary schools in Sutton, Eastburn, Kildwick, Cowling and Lothersdale.

The Reverend Helen Collings, vicar of Sutton with Cowling & Lothersdale, said: “We are looking forward to this event, which involves a wide range of people from our local communities, both young and old.

"We hope that lots of people will take the opportunity to vote, as we really want to be singing people’s favourites on the day.”