Thousands of Christians were gathering together in St Helens on Saturday to pray for the nation.

The Saints in the Stadium event has been organised by the National Day of Prayer movement and is endorsed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby.

The event is taking place at the iconic Langtree Rugby ground between 11.00am and 4.00pm, with worship led by Noel Robinson, local worship leader Ian Yates, Lara Martin and Godfrey Birtall.

The three themes for the day are rejoicing, repenting and seeking God for the nation, and prayer will be led by local and national church leaders, including Dr Jonathan Oloyede, Convenor of the National Day of Prayer and Worship, Ian Coles, National Director of the World Prayer Centre, local leader Steve Pilkington and the Bishop of Lancaster, the Rt Reverend Geoff Pearson.

At 12 noon the whole stadium will unite in saying the Lord's Prayer together.

Offering his support for Saints in the Stadium, Archbishop Welby said: "This is an important day when Christians come from across the country to pray and worship God together. It is exciting to see Christians coming from across the wide spectrum of church traditions simply to rejoice and be in God's great presence."

Dr Jonathan Oloyede added: "The Archbishop of Canterbury has made prayer a commitment of his as he leads the Church of England and we want to stand with him to see an increase in prayer and mission across this the UK."