Britain's first church-operated pub didn't let the praise get in the way of the pints on its opening night.

It was standing room only at The Cock and Bottle, in Barkerend Road, Bradford, as its first night got into full swing.

Christian supporters and locals packed the bars which were the subject of world media attention after the Telegraph & Argus broke the story exclusively.

National and local television crews were there to witness the opening.

The Reverend Robin Gamble, a key member of the Bradford Christian Pub Consortium, who was interviewed on Radio 4's Today programme between an item with Prime Minister Tony Blair and the sport, said the interest had been amazing.

"It's just carried on all day," he said.

"I had a phone call saying 'Hi, it's Rachel from Sydney, Australia' and I thought 'Have I got family in Australia?' "

The Christian group signed the papers to run the pub on Tuesday and became the new tenants of the pub owned by Enterprise Inns.

They aim to hold Christian events in the pub as it believes it is easier to get non-believers into a bar than a church.

He said: "The big aim is to bring Christianity out of the churches and into ordinary life.

"Some people will think a church pub will be heavily religious but people can come down here and talk about anything, from Christianity to football.

"We won't be ramming religion down people's throats."

Punter Stephen Walsh, 74, from Bingley, said: "I'm pleased that this is happening. There's too much religion and not enough belief.

"A pub like this will get the message to the masses but if they don't want to hear it they can just have a drink."

Another drinker Jamie Zurek, 24, from Thornbury said: "It's a great idea. As long as they're not trying to preach to you while you're having a pint, I can't see anything wrong with it."

Bleddyn Williams, 29, also from Thornbury, added: "It seems to be working tonight. It's a nice pub and there's a pleasant atmosphere."

As last orders beckoned the pub's Christian landlord Malcolm Willis, who spoke to radio stations in Sweden and Belgium, said: "It's been a wonderful night.

"We've been full pretty much all the time with about half locals and half Christians. I've had four bar staff working flat out."

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