The first in this year’s series of Lent lunches for Christian Aid is at Keighley’s Salvation Army centre next Friday.

The lunches, organised by members of Central Keighley Churches Together, will take place on the six Fridays of Lent, finishing on Friday, April 3.

The simple meal, which is open to all, consists of soup, a bread roll and cheese, with tea or coffee.

Keighley Christian Aid organiser Judith Wood said: “The food is free — some of it being given by the Co-op — but we ask for a donation towards the work of Christian Aid.

“This year we are focusing on the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“The hope is that Christian Aid will provide training for life to many of the people of that war-ravaged country.

“This will enable them to find employment and feed and clothe themselves without handouts from the developed world.”

During the lunches, pupils from Holy Family Catholic School will again be on hand to wait on diners and do the washing up.

The first lunch at the Salvation Army Centre, in High Street, begins at 11.45am.