Britain's first Christian pub is set to serve up fresh ideas in a bid to continue its religious work in Bradford.

The Cock and Bottle on Otley Road is being re-launched, with promises of live music and new activities to attract younger customers.

Taken over by a group of Christians two years ago, the pub has been running at a loss and original donations have now run dry. But the Reverend Robin Gamble, who spearheaded the controversial idea, said the project was now entering its second phase and moving up a gear.

"We have done the job that we set out to do and we are now starting the second term," he said. "Inevitably running a pub on Christian principles means we do not make as much money as other pubs. We don't open for as long and don't have one-armed bandits so it's not as profitable, but we always knew that.

"Making a pub work in an inner city is very difficult. When we opened up, most people gave us two months, but we've been here two years. We are really pleased about how it's gone."

Owned by Enterprise Inns, the Cock and Bottle is independently run by a group of committed Christians who aim to bring back faith back into the community.

New plans for the listed building include the re-opening of the tap room, live music and jamming sessions and possibly a church games league.

Musician Jim Croker, of Rotherham, will take over the landlord's role. And the guiding hand of Mr Gamble, who is leaving the diocese to work in Manchester, will be replaced by project leader the Reverend Ashley Evans, of Bolton Villas United Reformed Church.

Mr Evans said: "We want a place of recreation and liveliness, but also a place where people can come to talk to us.''

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