WYRE Forest churchgoers are busy preparing for an express delivery that will kick off their leg of a prayer marathon that has travelled the country.

More than 400 people from the district's Methodist churches are expected to take part in the Pray Without Ceasing event, which begins at midnight on Sunday, when the national touring candle is delivered to Arley Station.

A train has been hired to transport flock members to the Severn Valley Railway platform for a short service when the candle is handed over by Rev Andrew Farrington, of the Tipton circuit.

The idea behind the initiative, which started in July last year and is due to finish in September, is to promote the importance of praying and its different methods.

Religious music will be played on the journey back to Kidderminster's Trinity Church before it heads off to Hartlebury Common for a sunrise service at 4.30am.

An hour-long prayer breakfast will be held near Broadwaters Mill at 9.30am and walkers will worship during an afternoon trek through the Wyre Forest.

The congregation at Foley Park Methodist Church will use an evening service to say goodbye to their respected minister, Rev Roger Jones, who is retiring in August.

The 67-year-old, who has been a minister in Kidderminster for 10 years, including five at the Sutton Park Road church, said he was looking forward to the occasion.

He explained: "I have got mixed feelings, to be honest, and I know it will be difficult but I am still going to be around. I have really enjoyed my time as a minister, especially here at Foley Park. I have been lucky to have had support from a good group of people and I am very grateful for that."

Prayers will continue at Trinity Church, in Churchfields, from 8.30pm until midnight before the candle is handed over to ministers in Bridgnorth to continue its journey.

Rev Mary Austin, superintendent minister for the Kidderminster and Stourport circuit, said the marathon event had caused quite a stir.

She explained: "Everyone is really looking forward to it now. It has taken quite a lot of hard work and organising but there is certainly excitement in the air now. Someone will be praying every second throughout the day.

"It is the first time an initiative like this has been done. There has been so much interest and it is a great way of showing to people that there are so many ways they can pray."