Canterbury church hosts Easter Sunday Songs of Praise

Aled Jones presented the programme

A Kent church has hosted the BBC's Easter Sunday Songs of Praise.

The BBC One show was presented from St Martin's Church, Canterbury, by Aled Jones.

“St Martin’s Church is a hidden gem, and we hope that our appearance on Sunday will draw more people to come and see our beautiful church for themselves,” a spokeswoman for the church said.

Canterbury Cathedral also featured in the show.

St Martin's Church in Canterbury was built before AD597

“St Martin’s Church is a church with a long history, but also one with a very spiritual feel, so we are glad presenter Aled Jones and the production team felt that and wanted to film here,” the spokeswoman said.

“Easter has been celebrated in the building for more than 1,450 years.”

Aled Jones joined Songs of Praise in 2000 and has presented hundreds of programmes since, including the 50th anniversary concert at Alexandra Palace in 2011 and the 60th anniversary concert in Westminster Abbey.

More than 3,000 episodes of the world's longest-running religious TV programme have aired since its first transmission in 1961.

Mr Jones joined the congregation at the church last month for a recreation of their Dawn Service and Liturgy of the New Fire.