But the Rev Ben Norton swaps pews for booze when he hosts a Christian group for men each week.

He runs the XY Church, a 'lads' church for men who want to look at life, faith and God over a beer at the Prior John pub, in Promenade.

It is aimed at men aged 18 to 40, who might not attend church because of peer pressure, or because they feel intimidated.

Rev Norton said: "We are not sat with tambourines and Bibles, we are just a group of lads sat having a chat and a pint.

"It's more than a social club but we don't take ourselves too seriously. It's a great forum for people to speak their mind.

"We get a few pints in and talk about what's been in the news. It's just topical conversation.

"We are not trying to convert people, or set up a new church, we just want to journey with people.

"I was praying and the idea came to me.

"I'm a bloke and I thought about the things I like to do."

The group, which was founded in December, also has a website www.xyonline.com, which features a weekly blog and a monthly Guy Pod podcast.

It has also planned a number of events throughout 2008, including a poker night, sea fishing trip, camping, clay pigeon shooting and even a pub crawl.

For more information, join the XY Church at the Wetherspoon's Prior John pub on Sundays at 7.30pm, or contact the Rev Norton on 07780 606314.

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