A CHURCH social centre was transformed into a racecourse with a difference to raise money to send children to Lourdes.

Parishioners of St Alban's RC Church, Blackburn took the parts of the horses to tackle an obstacle course. And Canon Jude Harrison joined in the fun as he put the "horses" under starter's orders dressed as TV racing expert John McCririck.

Other party-goers placed their bets with the in-house "bookies" with all the proceeds going towards the church fund to send youngsters to Lourdes.

Pictured, from the left, are Canon Jude Harrison, Louise Kenealy and Mark Healy.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.