METHODISTS in Warrington are in for a treat this weekend as their first black president pays them a visit.

The Right Reverend Inderjit Bhogal, president of the British Methodist Conference, is coming to Warrington Methodist Mission on Saturday as part of a tour of the Liverpool District.

Born in Kenya, Rev Bhogal has been a Methodist minister since 1976.

The Methodist church elects a new president each year and he is the first black president it has had.

He is committed to equal opportunities, racial and social justice, including adequate housing for all, inter-faith understanding and co-operation, and justice for asylum seekers.

As part of his visit, Rev Bhogal will be treated to a lunch and forum, with 90 guests, at Warrington Town Hall, followed by an afternoon service at the Bold Street Mission.

The forum, Ears to Hear, will feature about 10 representatives of community life in the region, who will be asked to speak for five minutes each on "what I want the church to hear".

This will, after a tea break, be followed by the president's response and a possible debate.

The afternoon service, which should be attended by the Mayor of Warrington Clr Sheila Woodyatt and her consort Neville Woodyatt, will include the release, by the president, of prayer balloons.

Each balloon will have prayers attached, written by members of the congregation.