A CITY'S main church should provide spiritual sustenance to night-time revellers, according to a city chaplain.

The Reverend Derek Rosamond, 55, believes Sunderland Minster should be extending its reach to the thousands of men and women who seek entertainment in nearby bars and nightclubs.

Mr Rosamond is leaving the city after eight years to take up a position in Stockton.

The church already ministers to performers at the nearby Empire Theatre, and Mr Rosamond said a similar service to shops and bars had been considered.

"The minster is in the middle of all this. It's just how does it offer an appropriate ministry to the people that are around here during the day and during the evening?

"Somewhere, there is an opportunity there for developing the relationship between the ministry and the pubs and clubs."

Mr Rosamond took his last service as city centre chaplain on Sunday.