ANIMAL loving-Christians are invited to bring their pets to church for a pet-blessing service next month.

St Paul’s Church, Winchmore Hill, is expecting dogs, cats, gerbils and even a pair of police horses to attend its second ever pet blessing service on June 6.

Reverend Ed Turner said the ceremony was to commemorate a tradition popular in country parishes, known as the start of the green growing season, which begins that week and ends with the harvest festival.

The vicar – who says he will try and overcome his fear of spiders, just in case - will bless all the animals by placing a hand on them and giving thanks.

Any animal lovers who suffer allergies can take refuge on a balcony, and those with particularly timid pets can bring a photograph.

Rev Turner, who himself took in a stray cat, Tilly, said: “Unfortunately health and safety means we can’t bring the horses into the church, but I will go out and bless them in the car park. Last year we had mainly dogs, cats, gerbils and rabbits, and it went very well, despite a couple of dogs were fighting in the aisles.

"This service was made famous by the Vicar of Dibley, but it’s actually been going on for a long time. In the city it is people’s pets that are really important. Possibly the biggest problem in the UK is loneliness and a lot of these pets represent something to love.

“We use animals for friendship, and we eat them, and they don’t get much thanks, so this is a chance to give something back.”

The service will take place from 10am to 11am at St Paul’s Church, Church Hill, Winchmore Hill, on June 6. For more information ring 0208 886 4290