The Bishop of Chester will swap vestments for a leather jacket this Easter, by leading a Palm Sunday motorbike parade.

Bishop Mark Tanner will drive a twelve-hundred cubic capacity BMW up to St Catherine's church, Birtles.

On easter Saturday, he will lead another ride out to raise funds for the Biking Bishop’s Mission Fund, which is supporting Christians in the Democratic Republic of Congo by supplying them with motorbikes.

Bishop Tanner said: “The church in the Democratic Republic of Congo provides nursing services, midwifery, and education alongside the wider work of the church.

“Transport is almost entirely undertaken on small motorbikes, and it is great to be able to support this work in a practical way.

"What better way to spend Holy Saturday, as we wait for our Lord’s resurrection, than reaching out in faith to those with particular needs?"

Bishop Tanner will also use his bike to share the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, revving up for trips between different parish services.

Bishop Tanner said: "I love it when I get to combine biking and faith: there is something about the open road and the sense of freedom...

"This will be a new way for me to journey through Holy Week, and I hope it enables folk who wouldn’t normally engage to experience something of the joy of Easter for themselves."