THREE local churches are working together to put on 'Good News Week' — a series of events to showcase what the churches do and what they believe.

All Saints Parish Church in Okehampton, St Petroc's in Inwardleigh and St Mary's in Belstone are working together to run the event.

From toddler groups to adult craft sessions, a men's skittles evening to a plainsong workshop, the week will offer a variety of opportunities to find out why the three congregations believe the Christian faith is 'Good News'.

The curate of the Northmoor team, the Rev Dave Atallah, said: 'We have been asking the congregations to tell us what sort of events they would be happy to invite their friends to come to and the programme is based on their suggestions.

'We have been working on this for nine months now and I am very pleased at what has emerged — there really is something for everyone.'

The churches will be joined for the week by the Rev Karl Freeman, vicar of a growing church in Plymouth. Karl is also chaplain to the Royal Marines and will be sharing some of his experiences working with the marines.

The rector of Okehampton, the Rev Stephen Cook, said he was delighted with the way the event was shaping up: 'Now that Good News Week is nearly here I can't wait to get started.

'We seem to have been talking about it for ever and it will be exciting to see how all the planning and preparation turns into what I am sure will be a memorable week. There is so much bad news around, we want to offer something different.'

The events begin with special services on Mothering Sunday, March 30, at 9.30am at Inwardleigh and Belstone, and 11am at Okehampton.

Full details of all that is going on can be found online at http://www.northmoorteam.org.uk">www.northmoorteam.org.uk