Churchgoers and an Asian youth group are using sport to tackle developing relationships between the two.

Great Horton Methodist circuit Youth Group and SURF (See Yourself Reaching Further) were due to take to the astro-pitch at Grange Technology College, for a football match on Sunday, January 21, at 2pm.

And in summer cricket matches between the two teams have been arranged at the Great Horton Methodist Church cricket field.

The superintendent minister of the Great Horton Methodist circuit, the Reverend Paul Flowers, said the Methodist churches on the area had made a conscious decision to work alongside Muslim neighbours, to seek out ways of developing better understanding.

In February and April the church is hosting two meals, one at the Council of Mosques Khidmat Centre and the other Great Horton Church, to help explore faith.

And in summer cricket matches between the two teams have been arranged at the Great Horton Methodist Church cricket field.

Councillor Flowers said: "Our young people wanted to explore faith in a different way - hence the soccer matches and cricket matches.

"We are planning other ways of working together with the two youth groups in the future, in-cluding some joint visits and residentials"