CHURCHES in Axbridge, Shipham and Rowberrow are encouraging people to sign up to a text service which sends people daily messages throughout Lent

CHURCHES in Axbridge, Shipham and Rowberrow are encouraging people to sign up to a text service which sends people daily messages throughout Lent offering advice on how to spread a little happiness to people in their communities.The Love Life Live Lent campaign suggests ways to spread generosity in the community and bring Lent alive for people who do not go to church.Advice includes letting someone go in front in a traffic jam or queue, taking part in an environmental clean-up, watching the news and praying about the situations, leaving a £1 coin in a shopping trolley or where someone else will find it and having a TV free day to do something that has been put off for ages.Churches are hoping to show people they can make a real difference in the community by doing basic things to help others.Reverend Tim Hawkins, priest in charge at St John the Baptist Church in Axbridge, said: "I think it's a really good idea. It's positive and it puts a positive slant on Lent. It's about doing things that will make a difference to other people and learning to be more generous."The campaign is backed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams.Rev Hawkins has also been teaching the message in schools and giving pupils advice on how to help others and make a difference in their communities.Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days, representing the time Jesus spent in the desert being tempted by Satan as he prepared for his crucifixion at Easter.The season is a time of reflection and fasting and many people give up certain types of food in the run-up to Holy Week.The text service will run until Easter Monday, April 9, and costs 10p per day to receive. To register for the service text the word 'lent' to 64343.