The Archbishop of York has given his backing to LightLive, Scripture Union's free online ministry that puts children's and youth learning material at leaders' fingertips.

Dr Sentamu said LightLive, launched in May, would help leaders reach a vital generation.

The website gives children's and youth leaders free-of-charge access to a weekly syllabus of downloadable material following SU's Light programme.

Since LightLive's launch earlier in the year, almost 3,500 leaders have signed on to use the site, and more than 2,700 groups, representing 59,000 children and young people, have registered .

The Archbishop said of LightLive: "I'm passionate about young people being given the opportunity to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ and grow in their faith.

"I'm sure that youth leaders and children's workers across the country will find LightLive a useful tool in helping them to reach this vital generation in a fun, challenging and accessible way."

LightLive aims to help churches work to reverse the decline in attendance among young people, by lifting the barriers of resource and cost for those involved in or starting children's ministry.

According to Christian Research, Sunday attendance by children and young people fell from 1.4 million in 1979 to 700,000 in 2000, and researchers say attendance continues to decline.

Scripture Union's vision is for every church to be fully equipped to make disciples of children and young people. LightLive's flexible suite of resources for church leaders, youth workers, school teachers and others who work with children and young people, aims to help fulfil that vision.

Keith Civval, Chief Executive of Scripture Union in England and Wales, said it was essential that churches connect with young people: "In a fast-changing society it is vital that the next generation has the opportunity to hear and respond to the unchanging good news of Jesus Christ.

"Many people have an image of Sunday School of being dry and boring. LightLive has been designed to equip hard-working volunteers in churches large and small to present this good news to children and young people in a way that's accessible and contemporary."