FAITH broadcasts from the BBC are providing a lifeline in the lockdown for people who can’t get to their place of worship.

Broadcasts from clergy, musicians and the occasional celebrity are going out via local BBC radio stations.

Since March the network has been broadcasting a popular 30-minute Christian service at 8am each Sunday.

Today’s service focuses on the joy of singing and is led by world-renowned hymn writers Keith and Kristen Getty.

The next eight weeks see services from the likes of new Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, Methodist minister Jenny Pathmarajah and Reverend David Shosanya, former gang member turned Baptist minister.

Each Sunday the service is led by a different Christian denomination. Meanwhile, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Jewish reflections take place throughout the week across the local stations.

All services and reflections are available afterwards on BBC Sounds.

More than 40 people have led the Christian worships over the past eight months, including Archbishop Justin Welby, Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop John Sentamu, who broadcast on one of his final days in office. Former Bishop f Truro, the Rt Revd Tim Thornton, led last Sunday’s Remembrance service.

Listeners have described the local BBC radio Christian services as “uplifting”, “comforting” and a “lifeline”. One person added: “I always feel that I have truly worshipped along with the presenters.”

Chris Burns, Head of Local Radio for the BBC, says: “We know from personal testament just how important these broadcasts have proved to be. They have played an important role in bringing communities together virtually so no one need feel they are on their own.

“We expanded our religious programming on the first weekend of lockdown in March and will continue to broadcast services and reflections until life returns to normal.

“I am incredibly proud of the work our teams have carried out since the pandemic began.”

Although places of worship reopened earlier this year, strict social distancing measures were in place and singing was forbidden.

• Sunday 15th November –World-renowned hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty lead a service about the joy of singing

• Sunday 22nd November – A special service featuring the South East Asian Christian communities of England, led by Canon Yaqub Masih

• Sunday 29th November – Advent begins. Led by Methodist minister, Jenny Pathmarajah

• Sunday 6th December – Reverend David Shosanya, former gang member turned Baptist minister

• Sunday 13th December – A Nativity service led by the Bishop of Dorking, Jo Wells, and featuring the Wintershall Players (who do a famous Nativity and a Passion play every year in Trafalgar Square)

• Sunday 20th December – The new Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, leads a Christmas service