MORE than 10,000 Catholics took part in a special festival to mark the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton.

The event was held at the American Express Community Stadium at Falmer, Brighton, yesterday.

Bishop of the diocese, the right reverend Richard Moth, led a morning prayer during the festival before a host of entertainers were introduced to the congregation.

The festival featured guest speakers as well as music, dance displays, vintage fairground rides, exhibitions and stalls.

The diocese dates back to 1965 when it was created after the beginning of the Second Vatican Council.

Among the speakers at the event were included cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, former bishop of the diocese, Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury and fr Timothy Radcliffe, former master general of the Dominican Order.

Bishop Dan Turley from the sister diocese of Chulucanas in Peru also spoke at the football stadium.

Music came from a variety of Christian rock bands and there was theatre from the Rise performance group. A mass choir of singers including Stephen Bloy, from the BBC show The Voice, led the congregation in song.

The event came to a climax with a mass of thanksgiving in the stadium at 3pm led by bishop Richard who was joined by priests, deacons and other notable people of the diocese.