A FORMER priest turned church jester will be bringing laughter to Churches Together in West Bury to help celebrate Mothers' Day weekend.

Roly the clown will be taking centre stage at Guardian Angels Social Club in Harvey Street, Elton, at 2pm on March 5 for families to learn the tricks of the circus before he shares his skills with high school youngsters at St James' Parish Church in Walshaw Road at 7pm.

On Mothering Sunday he will take part in the morning service at St Peter's Church in Manchester Road before joining adults with learning disabilities and their carers from 2pm at Bolton Road Methodist Church.

The award-winning clown, who picked up the title of Clown of the Year in 1994, was ordained as a priest in 1978 but resigned from his parish in London in 1990 to follow his childhood dream and complete a year at Bristols circus school, Fool Time.

Roly Bain now travels 35,000 miles worldwide teaching his circus skills and performing routines based on Christian principles in a variety of locations, including hospitals, schools, prisons and churches.

Rev Stuart Millington, priest-in-charge of the All Saints Parish, said: "Everybody loves the clown and Roly is there among the very best.

"We are very privileged to have Roly coming to Bury and, having seen him on a couple of previous occasions, I can promise everyone who meets him a great time. It promises to be a lot of laughs."

To book your place at the shows, ring 0161 797 1595 or pick up a booking form available in all the churches of west Bury.