A CANDLELIGHT procession took place through the streets of Prestwich to welcome a new sacred scroll to a local synagogue.

More than 200 members of Prestwich Hebrew Congregation, their friends and families, took part in the dedication of the Sefer Torah.

It is almost three years since the synagogue, in Bury New Road, held a service and procession for their last scroll, but the latest event was held to mark the anniversary of the loss of a popular member of the Jewish community. Mrs Malka Sandler died last year and her husband, Rev Bertie Sandler is currently the cantor at Prestwich Hebrew Congregation.

The Sefer Torah was handwritten by scribe Mr Uzzi Brown and features the five books of Moses from the Old Testament.

Mr Mike Greenberg, who organised the event with Ian Creek, said: "The event went like clockwork. We have to have more than one scroll as they wear out quickly."