Five hundred churches across Bradford will welcome people from all faiths to take part in a day of prayer for persecuted Christians in Pakistan this Sunday.

The Pakistan Asian Christian Welfare Association Bradford has organised the gathering to express solidarity with the thousands of Christians in Pakistan who have been, or are, suffering at the hands of Islamic militants.

Chairman of the association, Jim G Dutt, said: "Preparations are going very well.

"We have got support from the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of York, as well as from the Home Office, the Foreign Secretary and the government of Pakistan."

Mr Dutt said that letters have been sent to the Pope and the Queen requesting support for the prayer day.

"If we don't get a reply it doesn't matter," he said.

"We just wanted the world leaders to be aware."

The association, formed in 1997, was made active the following year after the desecration of the Pakistani village of Shanti Nagar, when more than 1,000 Muslim militants destroyed 15 churches in a day and 50,000 people were left homeless. Since then, according to the association, the persecution of Christians has continued. Hundreds are in prison, some waiting to be hanged, and more than 200 Christians have been killed in Pakistan since 1987.

"The real purpose of this day of prayer is to motivate thousands of churches in the UK to alert people to what's happening," said Mr Dutt.

Religious leaders from across Yorkshire have expressed their support for Sunday's special services.

The former Bishop of Bradford, the Right Reverend David Smith, and his wife Mary, said in a joint statement: "We will gladly pray for persecuted Christians in Pakistan on that day and hope that you will have widespread support.

"If we can encourage others to join in we will do so."

More than 200 people are expected to attend a special service at St Paul's Church, Manningham, from 4pm till 6pm. For more information contact Mr Dutt on (01274) 392493.