CHURCHES in Bradford are preparing to welcome visitors for Yorkshire Churches Day.

The day, now in its second year, encourages people to visit their local place of worship, even if they have never stepped foot inside a church before.

Some of the Bradford churches taking part include St Mary’s Church at Wyke; St John’s Church in Baildon; All Saints Church and St Margaret’s Church, both in Ilkley; Bradford Unitarians; and Denholme Shared church.

Gomersal Methodist Church will also be open for visitors to view its artefacts, including World War One records and files on John and Charles Wesley.

Run by the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust (YHCT), the event will take place on Saturday, September 16.

Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York and president of the YHCT, said: “Yorkshire Churches Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our county's churches. At the heart of nearly every one of our communities is a church.

“They are there to serve and welcome everyone. However you choose to engage with these wonderful buildings, remember, they are not merely places of heritage and history, but vibrant centres of worship and community serving Yorkshire today.”

For more details visit yhct.org.uk/yorkshire-churches-day.