|TOP|The Salvation Army General-elect Shaw Clifton will be visiting the organisation's Leeds Central church and community centre, on Nile Street, February 18 and 19, accompanied by his wife commissioner Helen Clifton, with whom he shares his Christian ministry.

Leeds Central Salvation Army was one of only two churches in Europe that was chosen to receive a top religious accolade last year from the Church Health Awards in America, the other being in Denmark.

General-elect and Commissioner Helen Clifton will take part in an African cultural evening at Leeds Central from 4pm on Saturday, where a number of African choirs and singing groups are travelling to Leeds from across the UK to take part in the event. Around 250 people are expected to attend and African food will also be served after the evening of entertainment, at which the general-elect will be the guest speaker.

|AD|On Sunday, general-elect Clifton will lead the morning worship at 11am followed by an afternoon service at 4pm.

Majors Peter and Julie Forrest, the local leaders of Leeds Central Salvation Army church and community centre, said: "This promises to be an amazing weekend for our church and members.

"General-elect Shaw and commissioner Helen Clifton are very busy people and it is great that they are coming to meet the team here before embarking upon their new challenge as world leaders of the Salvation Army.

"We are sure the weekend will be an enjoyable and inspiring experience for everyone involved."

The Salvation Army has announced its 18th General Shaw Clifton in January, by the High Council of The Salvation Army made up of senior Salvation Army leaders from across the world. The new general will take after current leader General John Larsson in April, and lead the organisation which has 1.5 million members in 111 countries across the globe.