More than 450 churches across the UK will take part in Amazing Grace Sunday on March 25.

They will sing the famous John Newton hymn on the 200th anniversary of the passing of the bill to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire on 25 March 1807.

A feature film with the same title went on general release in UK cinemas yesterday. Starring Ioan Gruffudd, it tells the story of William Wilberforce's 20-year fight to bring an end to the slave trade.

"We hope the film provides a helpful focus in celebrating the bicentenary and bringing the country together at an important time," explained May-Lynn Chang, of Bristol Bay Productions, makers of the film.

"Many of the churches are singing the hymn as part of their commitment to see the end of modern-day slavery. Twenty-seven million men, women and children are still enslaved around the globe. The work for justice and freedom for all people must continue."

Water carried from the nearby harbour will form part of a symbolic act in Bristol Cathedral on Sunday - acknowledging the shame of the slave trade. The service will be led by the Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Rev Mike Hill, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Clifton, the Rt Rev Declan Lang and Dr Anthony Reddie, author and teacher of black theology.

"The service has been planned in collaboration with the Council of Black Churches in Bristol," explained Canon Tim Higgins of Bristol Cathedral. "Representatives of many local communities will pour water, drawn from the ocean which carried slave ships, into a large vessel. They will place their hands beneath the water and then dry each others' hands in a mutual act of recognition."

In Birmingham, Amazing Grace Sunday will be marked at the Commemoration of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, an event organised by The Council of Black-Led Churches in partnership with Birmingham Churches Together. Over 500 people will attend - and Amazing Grace will be the only hymn sung.