People across West Cumbria are invited to a World Day of Prayer event on March 1, and organisers are keen for people with links to Slovenia to get in touch beforehand.

The annual event bring together men, women and children of all ages to join in identical services across the world, put together each year by a different group.

This year's service has been prepared by women of Slovenia, one of the smallest and newest countries in Europe, and encourages people to reflect on the theme of hospitality.

They refer to life since the end of World War Two, when their country was a part of Yugoslavia, a Marxist socialist republic, and they share the challenges they have met and the hopes they have for the future.

Organisers are keen to hear from anyone locally who is from or has links to Slovenia to attend or be part of the planning group.

The World Day of Prayer began begins in Samoa as the sun rises and prayer in native languages travels throughout the world, through Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas, finishing in American Samoa 38 hours later with the sunset.

It is an international, inter-church event which enables people to hear the thoughts of women from all parts of the world, their hopes, concerns and prayers.

The local service will take place at Great Clifton Methodist Church on Gatehead at 10am.

For more details of other services taking place on the day, visit www.wwdp.org.uk

To get in touch about the Great Clifton event, contact Valerie Hallard on v.j.hallard@gmail.com