WINCHESTER Cathedral has kicked off its Bible Marathon, with the help of some famous faces.

Brigadier Alastair Bruce, Mayor of Winchester Cllr Jane Rutter, BBC South Today’s Sally Taylor and Bruce Parker were on hand to start the event which will see around 150 people read the holy book from cover-to-cover in a round-the-clock, four-day readathon – a first for the cathedral.

Acting Dean at Winchester Cathedral Canon Roly Riem believes it takes 75 hours to recite the 66 books, which include 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.

On Friday morning pupils of the city’s Pilgrims’ School will take part, with the Christ Church’s youth group Download covering the night shift.

In August, Rev Riem said: “The Bible Marathon will be held round-the-clock. Each day, the reading of the Bible will be from 10am to 3pm in the Cathedral, then overnight from 3pm to 10am in the Cathedral’s Wessex Learning Centre in the Cathedral Close.

“Volunteers prepared to read in the small hours will be particularly welcome.

“The marathon will be a challenge to manage and for all those who are taking part, as we gradually progress from the opening book of Genesis to the final book of Revelation.

“We hope to involve schools, churches and charities in this biblical adventure.”

The reading, which started yesterday will finish on September 10. Time-slots of no less than ten minutes for adults and five minutes for children are to take place with participants contributing a minimum of £30 (£10 for children) either through sponsorship or donation.

All money raised will help the cathedral to complete the last leg of its £20.5 million appeal target which includes the conservation and the re-display of the 12th Century Winchester Bible.

To find out more visit deanspa@winchestercathedral.org.uk.