Crowds watch Easter story street performance

Christopher Walters, who played Jesus, said the play was a chance to make the Easter story known to everyone

People gathered in Gloucester on Good Friday to watch the re-enactment of Jesus' final walk.

The street performance, The Way of the Cross, took place in the city centre with a cast assembled from churches across Gloucestershire.

Christopher Walters, who played Jesus in the performance, walked barefoot through the city and carried a cross. The re-enactment of the crucifixion took place outside Gloucester Cathedral.

Rev Rachel Forrest, of Holy Trinity Church in Longlevens, said the play allowed the audience to see "how graphic and visceral the crucifixion was".

The hour-long play began at 11:00 BST, with Gloucester residents and shoppers in the city centre invited to follow Jesus to the city's cathedral.

Mr Walters said: "We were actually rehearsing last week and there were some kids who had never heard the Easter story before.

"They saw us rehearsing in the streets and they came to ask us questions after and it was really nice to share what Jesus had done for us."

The re-enactment of the crucifixion took place outside Gloucester Cathedral

Ms Forrest, who organised the performance, said: "We hear these stories, he died on Good Friday, but it's seeing how graphic and visceral the crucifixion was because I don't really pull any punches.

"Then you realise what it was and what was really going on and how horrendous it was.

"Crucifixion was the most shameful, awful form of punishment and I think it's really important for us to understand exactly what this means that they put this innocent man to such a horrible death."