The Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, Rev Elizabeth Caswell, has said in her Easter message that "despite being illegal slavery still exists".

Rev Caswell was one of many church leaders present at the national service in Westminster Abbey earlier in the week to mark the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.

Many United Reformed churches also took part in Freedom Day last Sunday with special services and events to pay tribute to William Wilberforce and other key abolitionists.

"But we know that despite being illegal slavery still exists, together with bonded labour and people-trafficking," she said.

"Millions of people are in thrall to others because of debt, or are duped into working for a pittance. Some end up trapped in prostitution, cowed by violence and fear; robbed of their passports and unable to speak the local language they become powerless victims.

"Even as we admit our nation's part in the awfulness of the historic slave trade we also acknowledge the hidden forms of slavery in today's world."

Rev Caswell called on Church members at this time to remember Christ on the cross in the approach to Easter.

"How glad we are of the realism of our faith! Jesus plumbs the depths with us; knows our pain and fear, sweats and cries and bleeds with us - and for us.

"But Jesus does not only enter the darkness, He illumines it," said Rev Caswell.

She added: "There are no easy answers in a world of grief, only a God who shares the pain, illumines the darkness, and has the last, triumphant word - for always there is hope!"