Video: Churches fly the flag for diversity across region

Leeds welcomed a coming-together of Christians which saw an army of 200 believers, bishops, priests and vicars march through the city in a demonstration of support for people of many nations and cultures in the region.

Every creed and colour was the subject of celebration, organised by West Yorkshire Ecumenical Council to mark Ash Wednesday.

Flags from across the world had been woven together to form a banner, making a show-stopping centrepiece which stopped passers-by in their tracks as it was laid out in Leeds Trinity shopping centre.

Organiser the Rev Clive Barrett said: “Every year for Ash Wednesday senior church leaders come together to make a united statement of social concern, but this year we decided to do something different.

“In the run-up to the general election there is a narrowness in the debate. It is easy to blame and scapegoat other nationalities and cultures for society’s problems and we wanted to really celebrate the diversity which enriches us all.

“It was a great success.”