A DARLINGTON church will offer a chance to explore the meaning of life this autumn.

A free ten-week Alpha course will be held at St Andrew's parish hall, in Haughton.

Sessions start with refreshments and take the form of a short DVD followed by discussion.

Reverend Mark East, priest in charge at St Andrew's Church, has been using Alpha for much of his career.

He said: "It is a chance for people to get together and discuss and think about what this Christian faith business is about and what it means.

"There is the opportunity to ask whatever questions you may have about faith, it doesn't mean that everyone will agree, but if you have questions then do come along.

"For me, one of the best parts of Alpha is hearing another person's story of faith and seeing them grow and develop over the time we all spend together.

"It's also really good being able to ask any questions and to hear what other people say and how they understand the things we discuss together.

"I think one of the best ways we learn anything is to ask questions, and Alpha gives plenty of opportunities for that."

Former St Andrew's rector Charles Marnham, who was at the church between 1985 and 1995, is credited as one of the developers of Alpha, during his time at Holy Trinity Church, Brompton, in London, in the 1970s.

Reverend Nicky Gumbel, then a curate at Holy Trinity, took over the running of Alpha in 1990 and has developed it since then.

Introductions from Rev Gumbel form the DVD element of the Alpha sessions, which start on Wednesday, September 2, at 7pm.