Christians in Worcester will be keeping a 24 hour prayer vigil while the Olympic flame visits the city. A team of people will be praying continuously from midday on Thursday 24 May until midday on 25 May at St. Helen's Church on Worcester High Street/Fish Street, WR1 2HN. The initiative is part of the 70-day prayer relay being organised by churches across Britain, which mirrors the journey of the Olympic Torch through over 1,000 communities.

The event in Worcester is being led by the Worcester Street Pastors, but anyone is welcome to go along to St. Helens and join in. A group will be arriving from Gloucester at midday to pass on the ‘prayer baton', praying and blessing Worcester. At the end of the 24 hours a group from Worcester will then go to Cardiff, taking prayers from here to there.

Sue Gillgan is prayer co-ordinator for Worcester Street Pastors. She said: "We have split our time into one hour slots and are asking people to book in to one of these. Sometimes there will be lots of people praying and at other times just a few, but there will always be someone there. We will be praying for blessing on our city while the torch is in town and for initiatives such as the Food bank, debt and pregnancy crisis charities, Worcester city mission and Street Pastors."

There will be lots of different types of prayer available in St. Helen's. Participants can chill out on floor cushions for some meditative or reflective prayer, use pens, paints and craft materials for creative prayer or can even bring their guitar and sing. Those taking part can also write prayers to take on to Cardiff.

Anyone wishing to take part can email praypastworc@hotmail.co.uk to book a particular time, or can simply turn up at any time during the 24 hours.