The Bishops of Lichfield, Shrewsbury, Stafford and Wolverhampton have asked parishes to keep churches open so that people can pray for a "rapid solution" to the conflict in Iraq.

On Sunday the Bishop of Lichfield will lead a peace vigil at Lichfield Cathedral.

A diocese spokesman said: "We stand by the communities in our own country most closely affected by the conflict including Iraqi refugees and all Muslims.

"We offer them the hand of friendship and invite them to join with us in prayer and action for the rebuilding of trust and mutual respect.

"We pray that the conflict will not further polarise attitudes across the world and lead to further escalation of terrorism."

Church leaders in Shropshire have set this Sunday as a day of prayer and are urging all churches within the diocese to follow suit.