THE Bishop of Blackburn has spoken out over the banning of an advert intended for showing in cinemas and created by The Church of England.

The advert was developed to mark the launch of a new website (justpray.uk) to promote the renewal of prayer in a digital age.

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Despite the film receiving clearance from both the Cinema Advertising Authority and British Board of Film Classification, the country’s three largest cinema chains – Odeon, Cineworld and Vue won’t be showing the advert because they believe it ‘carries the risk of upsetting, or offending, audiences’.

The Rt Rev Julian Henderson said: “I am saddened cinemas will not be showing this advert which features ordinary people from all walks of life praying a prayer that is said by people all over the world every day.”