Catholics and Anglicans don't ordinarily share their place of worship but one church in Gwent is a shining beacon of hope for Christian unity.

Cwmbran's St Gabriel's Church has opened its doors to the 550-strong congregation of Our Lady of the Angels Roman Catholic Church across the road for the next six weeks while it is decorated.

"I think perhaps it might not have happened 30 years ago," said Reverend Father Michael Phillips of St Gabriel's.

He added: "It's topical at the moment, because we've just finished a week of prayer for Christian unity. This is just another aspect of how we are working closer together."

As it happens, Father John Meredith of Our Lady's Church is a friend of Father Phillips.

"He asked me if we could house the congregation while the work is being done, and we were only too pleased to help," said Father Phillips.

Built in the 1860s, Our Lady's is undergoing a complete redecoration.

"We're also having new carpet, as well as a new altar, lectern and tabernacle," said Father Meredith.

"It's extremely helpful, as we couldn't move into our church hall because it's in use most Saturday nights," he added.

The work should be complete within six weeks. Until then, Catholic and Anglican services will run back to back every Sunday, with two services for each.

As far as Father Phillips is concerned the arrangement is an opportunity to "welcome unity with part of the body of Christ".

"I can't speak for elsewhere, but in Cwmbran we work as closely together as we can with other churches," he added.

In fact, the church also has close links with the local Baptist and Methodist churches, as well as the Salvation Army.