CAMPAIGNERS will take over a church for a Summit Watch next week, as part of an attempt to persuade world leaders to give the poorest countries a fresh start by writing off their debts.
Supporters of the Jubilee 2000 Drop the Debt crusade are holding a vigil at St Catherine's Church, Crook, to coincide with the G8 summit of the world's wealthiest nations.
When Prime Minister Tony Blair meets other world leaders in Japan on Friday, his Local Government Minister, Hilary Armstrong, will be speaking at the event, in her North West Durham constituency.
It starts at midday with displays and information in the church's side aisle. Prayers will be held every hour, and at 6.30pm members of the witness choir and dancers will perform an extract from the Christian Aid musical The Feast of Life.
A final act of worship at 7pm will be followed by an outdoor act of witness.
The watch at St Catherine's is one of many events taking place around the country, including an ecumenical vigil at St Mary's RC Church, Bishop Auckland on the last day of the summit, on August 23.
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