Bradford Cathedral will celebrate the work of local healthcare staff when it holds its first carol service for the NHS this Christmas.

Current and former NHS staff across Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven, along with their friends and family, are invited to join in the service at the cathedral on Thursday 17 December.

Staff are familiar with the long-standing NHS carol service at York Minster, but for the first time there will also be a service here in Bradford.

The service of readings and carols is also open to members of the public to attend. Tickets are not required, and doors open at 6.15pm with the carol service starting at 7pm.

The Very Reverend Jerry Lepine, Dean of Bradford, said: “We want the carol service to be a celebration of the local NHS, and this promises to be a lovely festive occasion – right on our doorstep at our wonderful cathedral.

“There’s really nothing like a carol service for getting everyone in the festive mood, and it will be a way of saying ‘thank-you’ to all our local NHS staff who work so hard to look after us. We welcome everyone to come along and join us in celebration.”

Helen Hirst, chief officer of NHS Bradford City and Bradford Districts CCGs, said: “I’m delighted that the cathedral is holding the carol service for NHS staff and the wider community; it’s a lovely gesture and I know many staff are planning to attend.”

Staff are expected to attend from the local NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust and GP practices.

ENDS