THE Bishop of Oxford has been ringing out the bells at the oldest church in the city to encourage people to give generously during Christian Aid Week next month.

The Rt Rev John Pritchard and Christian Aid director Daleep Mukarji rang out the bells at St Michael at the Northgate in Cornmarket Street to remind people of the event, which runs from May 10-16.

Bishop John said: “Churches play an integral part in the week and this is an opportunity to make the public aware they can support people in the poorest parts of the world and challenge social injustice.”

Thousands of Christian Aid supporters will take part in house-to-house collections across Oxfordshire. Last year, people in the county donated just over £910,000.

Nationally more than 300,000 supporters collect during the week, raising £15m for the charity.