UP to 1,000 worshippers will pack Portsmouth Cathedral for two nights of recording for the BBC’s Songs of Praise.

Two separate programmes will be filmed at the cathedral in the same week - one to be broadcast on Remembrance Sunday and the other some time next year.

The first recording, between 7.30pm and 10.30pm on Wednesday 22 October, will be an ecumenical occasion when the cathedral will welcome Christians from more than 50 churches of all denominations around the city.

Producers want to capture the vibrancy and diversity of worship in our churches and will record the congregation singing three modern worship songs as well as three traditional hymns. Professional musicians will form an accomplished band for the event and worship leader Noel Tredinnick will conduct the music.

The BBC team is encouraging people of all ages to attend. Those who do so also need to be at a full rehearsal of the recording between 7.30pm and 10.30pm on Tuesday 21 October.

Anyone who loves singing can join a choir that will be created specially for the occasion. It will rehearse on Monday 13 October from 7pm-10pm at St George’s Church, Portsea.

The edition of Songs of Praise to be broadcast on Remembrance Day will be filmed on Thursday 23 October. The congregation will include representatives from the army, navy, air force and marines, as well as veterans’ organisations and civilians with military links. It will be presented by Pam Rhodes and include music from the Royal Marines Band.

Both programmes will also include interviews with committed Christians who have interesting stories to tell about how their faith is affecting their lives.

Assistant producer Joanna Malton said: “We want to fill the cathedral for both recordings. And we’re looking for Christians with good personalities and communication skills who can talk about the relevance of their Christian faith.