The world's oldest maritime welfare charity has asked churches to remember the world's seafarers in a special service.

Congregations in Bridport and Lyme Regis have been invited to take part in Sea Sunday services on July, 8 in aid of the Sailor's Society.

Each year, the Christian charity, which celebrated its 200th birthday last month, asks churchgoers to pray and give thanks for the worlds 1.6 million sailors.

Stuart Rivers, Sailors' Society's CEO, said: "Whether they know it or not, the people of Bridport rely upon seafarers.

"More than 90 per cent of everything we own comes by sea, our clothes, phones, cars, even the bricks that make up our homes.

"All of these goods are brought into the country by seafarers who risk extreme loneliness, dangerous storms and even piracy.

"Holding a Sea Sunday service for the Sailors' Society is a fantastic way of recognising the amazing work seafarers do."

Churches in Bridport and Lyme Regis have been invited to take part in the special service.

Father Richard Meyer, of St Mary and St Catherine Church in Bridport, confirmed his congregation will be taking part in the service.

He said: "We shall pray at our masses that weekend for all those whose work is on the seas. We take seriously the fact that we are a seaside parish."

Reverend Pete Stone, of the Bridport Team Ministry, also confirmed participation.

He said: "We will be celebrating Sea Sunday on July 8, focusing on Fisherman's Mission and Mission to Seafarers, two fantastic organisations, both locally and globally, which look after workers on the sea."

The charity is also hosting a Chaplaincy conference in April, and releasing a book called 200.

To learn more about the day, visit seasundayhero.org