AN ANNUAL prayer procession will follow a new route when it takes place in the town centre early next month.

The 54th Family Rosary Procession will be led by the Archbishop of Liverpool, Malcolm McMahon, along with the mayor and mayoress, Cllrs Geoff and Carol Pearl as well as other clergy members.

Following local, national and international intentions, the procession will recite the Holy Rosary while walking from Church Square to Holy Cross church where a Benediction service will then be held.

The procession's new route ensures the vast majority takes place in pedestrian or pavement areas, taking in Church Street and Ormskirk Street on the way to Victoria Square.

After crossing over on to the town hall piazza, the procession will go right briefly along Corporation Street before going into Vincent Street and Parade Street, finally arriving at Holy Cross.

The Annual Rosary Procession dates back to the late 1950s when Holy Cross parishioner Martin Byrne, while seriously ill, pledged in prayer that should he recover he would ensure an annual procession was started in the town.

The tradition has continued unbroken to the present day since the first procession in 1961.

Anyone whose faith embraces the reciting of the Holy Rosary is invited to attend and all participants are asked to wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather.

Children and young people are to be accompanied by a parent or guardian and any wheelchair users are asked to wear appropriate protective clothing and should ensure their safety belt is secured.

The procession takes place on Sunday, October 5 with a 3pm start and participants are asked to assemble in Church Square at 2.45pm.