THE first Muslim to say prayers in Durham Cathedral is to visit Teesdale next month to give a lecture on Islam.

Freelance journalist Farah Khan will visit St Osmund's Centre, Gainford, to give the talk, called An Introduction to Islam, on March 19.

The talk is part of a series of lectures at the centre about religion and cultures around the world, and will centre on education and developments in the Third World.

As part of the series, Glenn Reynolds, world development officer for the Durham diocese, will give a lecture on steps being taken to help developing countries, on March 5.

A lecture called Recent Trends in Education will be held in the centre on March 12.

The lectures have been organised by Churches Together in Gainford, which includes representatives from the village's three churches - St Mary's Church, Gainford Methodist Church and St Osmund's RC Church.

Isobel Richardson, of Gainford Parish News, said the lectures would give visitors an invaluable insight into Islam and developments in the Third World.