The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd & Rt Hon Justin Welby, has been in the Diocese of Derby, leading communities in prayer.

Arriving at Chesterfield station, he was welcomed by Bishop Libby and Bishop Malcolm and taken to Saints Augustine Church in Chesterfield where he prayed with members of the congregation and those who help run the foodbank.

He told the congregation: "There is no set way to pray and you don't have to be sure of your faith to pray.

"God knows what is in your heart and so simply chatting with God is prayer."

He also dropped in to the adjacent Hope House to see the great work being done by the Christian charity of the same name that provides accommodation for previously homeless people.

The day in pictures

(Many more photos from Archbishop Justin's visit will be made available in the coming days)

Then, in Youlgreave, Archbishop Justin met members of the farming community, hearing about some of the challenges they face as farmers and farming familes. 

Although gales and rain threatened to spoil the lunchtime party at Crich Stand, the archbishop took time to picnic, talk and pray with families and young people - around 200 people in all - and to enjoy the views across the county.

It was there that he led everyone in an act of clypping where usually a church, but in this case Crich Stand, is encircled by people who link hands and pray for the building they surround. 

Afterwards, they faced outwards and said prayers for the Diocese of Derby.

See how Archbishop Justin's visit unfolded: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Yet more crowds gathered outside St Mary's Church in Ilkeston's Market Place, where once again Archbishop Justin and his team prayed with locals and enjoyed a chat.

The Archbishop received a warm welcome, too, at St Ed's in Shelton Lock, where a children's tea party was underway.

As part of the day, local children had been invited to ask him questions about his job and his life.

Having prayed many times for the diocese and it's people, the tables were turned on Archbishop Justin when 13-year-old Hadassah asked if this time she could pray for him.

Archbishop Justin shares a joke before 13-year-old Hadassah (right) offers to pray for him

Finally, he made his way to the city centre to lead prayers at the close of a prayer day at Derby Cathedral.

Whilst there, he reflected on his day in Derbyshire, describing the joy he had found in praying with so many people, and the "extraordinarily wonderful" views he had encountered in the diocese.

(Many more photos from Archbishop Justin's visit will be made available in the coming days)