PRAYERS have been answered at the Alexandra Hospital after its eagerly awaited multi-faith centre was officially opened at the weekend.

Children from all over the community helped open the new multi-faith prayer room, which was built with money collected through tireless fundraising.

Religious leaders from many faiths including Jewish, Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist and Christian joined community leaders and staff in a procession through the hospital to the main reception.

Following the official opening ceremony, performed by the children, there were blessings from representatives from each of the faiths.

The Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby, gave a reflection and the Rev Barry Jones, chaplain for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, and the Rev Douglas Lam, the Roman Catholic Area Dean, lead the closing prayers.

The Rev Jones said: "Having a new, purpose-built multi-faith prayer room at the Alexandra will be hugely beneficial to patients, visitors and staff offering a place for quiet thought and prayer, especially to people going through anxious or distressing times.

"Many, many people have worked hard over the years raising funds to enable the prayer room to become a reality.

"The colourful, musical ceremony attended by so many representatives from our community was a fitting opening for the prayer room."