THE Bishop of Oxford traded his pulpit for a set of DJ decks to give his blessing to the city's first Christian club night.

The Rt Rev John Pritchard took his turn on the wheels of steel at Baby Simple Bar, Cowley Road, - formerly the only place in the city to offer lap-dancing - on Saturday, and joined some of Oxford's holiest clubbers for a prayer and a blessing at the House of Praise club night.

Bishop John, who admitted he had not been clubbing for a long time, said: "It seems to be a very imaginative idea.

"I think the church needs to make contact with a culture that it's not immediately acquainted with and this is a very good approach to that culture."

He said he was "delighted" to support the event, saying: "I thought it sounded like something where a 60-year-old like myself might just be able to stagger in.

"My hope is we could recognise what is positive about this strong music, about being together in strong friendship and about enjoying a good, vibrant atmosphere.

"If that can be redeemed and taken into a positive context, and not have the associations with over-consumption of drink, drugs or sex, then that would be brilliant."

Lap-dancing at the bar ended last September when it underwent a major refurbishment and rebranded itself from Bar Baby to Baby Simple. Bishop John, who said his musical tastes ranged from classical artists such as Mahler to modern day favourites like Jack Johnson and Dido, said he hoped the music, friendship and atmosphere which a good club night offered were also reflected in the elements that made up a good church service.

House of Praise was officially launched at the Cowley Road bar after a successful trial at Thirst Lodge in February.

It is the brainchild of DJs - and Christians - Gary Smith, aka DJ G, and Gareth Dicks, aka Junior G.

Mr Smith said: "It's a fairly unique event for this area, and we have had a mixture of ages, with 18 year olds at the lower end and people in their 50s at the other end.

"The music we're playing is spiritual house music and gospel, which have always gone hand in hand, and now we are bringing it to the public's attention."

As well as the DJs, live music was provided by MC Stoney and gospel/R and B soloist Joy Ugwu.

Mr Smith, who worships at the Church of God or Prophecy in Littlemore, said: "It's quite a spiritual experience, but a lot of people just enjoy it for the music and to have a chance to hear stuff they've never heard before."

The House of Praise will be held once a month, with the next event on Saturday, June 14, at Baby Simple Bar.

The Bishop of Oxford is not the first Oxfordshire cleric to spread the word through the power of music - Steeple Aston vicar the Rev Michael Roden is the lead singer of rock band Monsters of the Deep.