A GROUP of churches has stretched out the hand of friendship to provide activities for adults with learning difficulties.

The launch of the "Friends" project, spearheaded by Churches Together in West Bury, recently took place at Bolton Road Methodist Church.

A total of 39 people attended the event together with guide dog Fable. All the "friends" and their accompanying carers had responded to an invitation sent from local churches, organisations such as Gateway and through personal contacts.

The organisers, all members of local churches, had arranged a variety of activities for the first "Friends Together" meeting. These included music and singing, led by the Rev Otto Ntshanyana with songs from his native South Africa, drama involving the acting out the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector meeting Jesus, craftwork, cake decoration, refreshments and worship.

The Rev Stuart Millington, who dressed up as Stew-pot the Clown, said: "Many people think of going to church as being rather dull and uncool. But we proved that it needn't be.

"This was no stuffy church gathering. There was laughter from beginning to end and all of us there discovered more about what it means to be members of the church, as well as friends."

Preparations for the next meeting of Friends Together are now being made. The date is already fixed for Saturday, September 18, at the same church. Invitations will be sent out shortly to those who attended the first meeting. If any adults with learning difficulties and their carers would like to join them, they will be made most welcome.

Details will soon be available from churches in West Bury or from Mr Millington on (0161) 797 1595.