[Diocese of London] Two services are to be held in St Paul's Cathedral to celebrate a long history of Christian education in the Diocese of London and to mark the significance of the Millennium Year for church schools. As part of this celebration forty seven stunning banners have been created by children from 43 primary schools and three secondary schools.

The banners were designed and screen-printed by the children, working with artists from Cloth of Gold. The largest banner, the work of students from the three secondary schools, uses a patchwork of Christian symbols to create a huge 30ft cross which will hang at the front of the cathedral. It will be the central symbol for both services on Tuesday 28th March and Wednesday 5th April.

The banners created by pupils from the primary schools are each 20 foot high, and represent the children's impressions of the areas surrounding their schools and churches. As well as historical buildings, shops and parks, the banners also include local characters, animals and family members - everything that makes up the community at the beginning of a new century.

The services will feature active participation by the children. There is a massed Gospel Choir of over 200 voices drawn from the individual schools, and there will be liturgical dances to traditional African music and a modern hymn.

At the conclusion of the hour long services, the Great West Doors will be opened and the children will rush onto the famous front steps of St Paul's Cathedral.