The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd George Carey, will broadcast a Christmas message to 216 supermarket stores throughout England.

Earlier this year when he gave the Ashe Lecture the Archbishop spoke of the importance of taking the Christian message to people wherever they are.

He applauded initiatives of church leaders taking services in pubs, supermarkets and on the streets. The supermarket chain ASDA then approached the Archbishop and asked him to record a Christmas message which will be at the heart of a traditional carol service held in their Gravesend store on Sunday 21st December, organised by the local churches in the town.

The service will be transmitted via live satellite to all 216 stores nationwide. The Archbishop will be recording his Christmas message for shoppers the same time he records messages for national TV, radio and the Anglican Church worldwide. The supermarket broadcast is expected to reach one million shoppers.