CHURCH leaders will take to the streets of Leigh in September as hundreds are being urged to take part in the Searchlight festival.

A number of fun events will be staged from September 5 to 9 aimed at all ages of the community.

The event has been planned to help churches reconnect with local people.

A spokesman said: "There is a real feeling of sadness among some Christians, that perhaps we have let the people of Leigh down in the past. We have stayed inside our churches."

Chairman of the Searchlight planning committee, Rev Peter Leakey, of Christ Church, Pennington, is still looking for others to join the event.

A dawn prayer meeting will be staged on Easter Sunday from 5am to 6am in the town hall square, Leigh.

Other events to promote Searchlight include a prayer meeting at Living waters Christian Fellowship, Firs Community Centre, Scott Street, Leigh on Sunday, May 6 at 8.15pm as well as at Kirkhall Lane Independent Methodist Church on Sunday June 3 at 8.15pm.