LEADERS of the Tavistock churches spent Good Friday morning in Bedford Square, giving free shoe-shines to passers-by.

The gesture is designed to imitate Jesus, who washed his disciples' feet just hours before he died.

Ministers from St Andrew's Whitchurch, Tavistock Methodist Circuit, and King's Church were in the centre of town, armed with polish, cloths and brushes, and passers-by were also given free hot cross buns.

A spokesman for the churches said: 'Giving free shoe-shines is something that's done by churches elsewhere in the country, it is a light and simple gesture which actually demonstrates the service which, as Christians, we're all about.'