ROLY the donkey will be leading a special Palm Sunday procession in Harwood.

Congregations from three churches will join for the hour long Ecumenical Palm Sunday Walk starting at Christ's Church, calling at St Brendan's and ending at Harwood Methodist Church Hall in Longsight Road.

It sets off at 2pm and Methodist minister Ian Smart said: "Last year we had about 250 people join us, this year we are expecting a lot more as we have some important people coming to Harwood. It starts at the top of the hill and we end up at the bottom and it we cover about one mile. And Roly the donkey from Smithills Open Farm will be leading the procession"

Representing the Anglican church will be the Bishop of Bolton the Rt Rev Mark Ashcroft and the Rev Wendy Oliver. The Roman Catholic faith will be represented by Fr Frank Parkinson and hopefully the Bishop of Salford, the Rt Rev John Arnold or Fr Michael Cook the Vicar General. The Methodists will be represented by Rev Dr Roger Walton President of the Methodist Conference, Rev Paul Martin Methodist Chair of District, and Rev Jennifer McKenzie the Methodist Superintendent.

After a short service at each church, there will be hot cross buns served at the church hall.