The Methodist Church in Britain is sending a solidarity grant of £10,000 to Chinese Christians to help tackle the Coronavirus outbreak.

Rev Dr Barbara Glasson, President of the Methodist Conference has written to the China Christian Council to "share our love and prayers for the people of China".

In it, she says: "Although we are many miles away geographically, we feel close to you in prayer."

The money sent will be used for protective equipment including protective clothing, masks and goggles.

There have been more than 40,000 cases of the virus globally, mostly in China, while the death toll in China now stands at 908.

Addressing the work of the China Christian Council in her letter Barbara Glasson says: "We know that you will be working alongside communities to help people be calm and to support those in need."

"We are also mindful of the concerns of the Chinese diaspora community across the world, particularly in the UK, and will be offering our support for them as best we can."