CHURCH-GOERS were able to enjoy a little fresh air when they attended a special Sunday service.

High Beech Church held a special open air evening service as they were joined by members of Loughton Methodist Church, and St Michaels to gather on the green outside.

Rev Nina Coulthard, vicar of St Michaels Church, led the service and was joined by guest speaker and author Andrew Knowles, canon theologian at Chelmsford Cathedral, as part of the event which was held as part of the Celebration of Creation scheme which encourages alternative ways of Christian worship.

Rev Tony Morling from Loughton Methodist Church said: “It was poignant to worship in such a beautiful forest setting while thinking about the impact of human activity on the delicate balance of ecological life. No easy answers were offered but it was good to have our thinking stretched as to how we can help preserve God’s good earth for future generations" .