A SPECIAL version of St Mark’s Gospel designed especially for revellers at music festivals is to be distributed at three festivals this summer.

The Gospel Jesus Loves Festivals will be handed out by Christian volunteers at the V Festival in Staffordshire, the Edinburgh Festival, and the Leeds Festival.

Two thousand copies of the 56-page book have been printed. Alongside Mark in the Message translation are an overview of the Christian faith, and advice on how to read the Bible and pray.

The Gospels are another part of the long-standing Christian outreach at festivals. Last year, Festival Pastors at the V Festival gave away 22,500 cups of water, and a prayer café at Leeds Festival welcomed about 4000 people through its doors.

A co-ordinator of the efforts of the Leeds Festival Angels, Paul Blakey, said that festivalgoers were often more open than normal to discussing spirituality: "In past years at Leeds Festival we have invited people to leave prayer requests, and to watch movies, which has led to discussions and people changing their concept of the Christian faith.

"This year, we wanted to leave people with something that would help them discover more, and the Jesus Loves Festivals Gospel will help do that."

For more information on Christian outreach at music festivals, visit www.festivalnetwork.org.uk.