THE Director of Christian Aid came to Preston this week for the first time in two years, to thank local folk for their support.

Dr Daleep Makarji visited two local venues before leading a press conference at the Lancashire County Museum, in Stanley Street.

Dr Mukarji met pupils from Archbishop Temple Secondary School, in Fulwood, and attended a gala performance of Christian Aid's musical The Feast of Life -- a service of commissioning for the collectors for house-to-house collections from May 14 to 20 -- at St Michael's Church, in Ashton-on-Ribble.

Christian Aid is the largest church agency for relief and development in Britain and is the official agency for more than 40 Christian denominations.

Area Christian Aid co-ordinator Ben Humphries, who works in Preston, said: "We are delighted that Dr Makarji visited us on the first anniversary of the Lancashire office opening in Preston.

"He met pupils who study the work of Christian Aid in their school curriculum, and had the chance to thank many of the agency's supporters and urged them to keep up their good work.

"Support for Christian Aid's work around the world is needed more than ever with crises in Mozambique, Ethiopia and India all affecting the long-term development needs of the poor."