A new initiative has been launched to cover the UK in prayer for the unborn and pro-life witness during the coronavirus lockdown. 

A prayer chain has been set up by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) to continue pro-life witness while outdoor campaign events are temporarily suspended because of social distancing directives. 

It is intended as an alternative to SPUC's annual public act of witness, which would normally be held on the Saturday nearest to April 27. 

The annual event commemorates the unborn babies killed by abortion since the Abortion Act came into effect on 27 April 1968. 

SPUC's Director of Campaigns, Antonia Tully, said: "In 2020 we cannot go out on the street to hold up our placards proclaiming our pro-life messages to passers-by. But we can pray in our homes."

SPUC is asking people to get involved by committing to pray for an end to abortion in their own homes. 

People taking part can fill out the 'Join the Pro-Life Prayer Chain' form on the SPUC website, where there are also suggested prayers.

Ms Tully said: "All we are asking you to do is to commit to praying for an end to abortion on Monday 27 April 2020.

"Please make this commitment to pray."

She continued: "We want to cover the country with prayer for unborn babies and their mothers. So let us know you are taking part.

"You can choose which prayer you say and you can pray for as long or as short a time as suits you. Thank you for your support. Together we will end abortion."