SENIOR bishop Dr John Sentamu will visit Pendle next month, meeting the public and visiting an aerospace manufacturer.

Dr Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, the second most senior cleric in the Church of England, will be in Barnoldswick on Friday, December 6.

Dr Sentamu will visit Rolls-Royce’s Bankfield site to meet staff and learn more about its functions during a tour of the factory.

He will be accompanied on the visit by the Bishop of Bradford Nick Baines and his Chaplain.

At around 3.15pm he will go to the Rainhall Centre where he will be greeted by children from Barnoldswick CE Primary School and meet representatives from several Pendle churches over refreshments Weather permitting the Bishop will take a walk around the Town Square at around 3.45pm, meeting the public and answering questions before leaving at around 4.30pm.

The visit has been welcomed by churches in Barnoldswick, who have been urging the Bishop to visit the area for a while.

Norman Cumming, minister at Barnoldswick Baptist Chruch on Manchester Road, said: “Some church members have been in correspondence with he Diocese of York for around five years over a visit.

“We’re ever so delighted that it will be going ahead next month as he connects so well with the public.

“I’m sure everyone in Barnoldswick will give the Bishop a warm welcome.”