The head of the Roman Catholic Church in England is taking 400 of his priests for a mini holiday at Butlins.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor has booked every chalet at the seafront holiday complex at Bognor for a midweek break in November.

He will be leading a party of priests from his Westminster Diocese on what his spokesman today described as an opportunity for "spiritual and pastoral reflection."

It will not be a case of all work and no play for the priests who will arrive at Butlins on November 5.

The Cardinal's spokesman said the party also hoped to make use of many of the holiday centre's attractions such as the indoor water complex.

He said: "I hear they have an amazing wave machine and you must remember that the age of our priests starts in the early 20s."

The Cardinal is believed to have chosen Butlins because of his personal knowledge of Bognor.

Before being appointed to succeed the late Cardindal Basil Hume he was Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton and often visited the town.