THE centre of York will become an outdoor church on Easter Sunday, when the city's Archbishop conducts special open-air baptisms.

Dr John Sentamu will welcome 20 adults into the Christian faith, during a celebration in St Sampson's Square and Parliament Street.

The event is organised by One Voice York, a multi-denominational network of churches and leaders.

Baptism of adults by total immersion symbolises the Christian's death to their old life and rebirth in Christ, and is seen as an appropriate way to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus himself on Easter Day.

The baptisms begin at 3pm, but before that - from 12.30pm - there will be singing and celebrations, including a "red carpet event" in which passers by will be invited to be photographed on pieces of red-carpet in film star poses, to show the celebrity status of every person in the eyes of God.

Graham Hutchinson, joint chair of One Voice York, said: "Jesus Christ was risen to new life after death on Easter Day, so Christians of all traditions in York are coming together in the city centre to celebrate that and what it means here and now.

"Easter is a great day to be baptised into the church of Jesus Christ for someone who has answered his call - and to make that commitment in public, in front of a crowd of supporters and witnesses. It's great Archbishop Sentamu is joining us too."