A SOUTH Lakeland town has rallied round to help prepare for a religious conference attracting an influx of visitors from across the globe.

Taxis, restaurants, shops and hotels are all on stand-by for the ten-day event at Grange-over-Sands, which will see more than 300 believers descending on the seaside town to study the Bible, pray and re-affirm their faith.

For eight days and nine nights, the United Church of God will host a conference in the Victoria Hall for visitors from as far afield as Hong Kong, America, the Bahamas, Singapore and Norway.

Restaurants have been asked to stay open late and caterers have been briefed about the dietary requirements of church members, who strictly avoid meats designated "unclean" in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, such as pork, lobster and shrimp.

Town councillors have agreed to provide a voluntary courtesy car service to ferry visitors from Grange train station to their hotels in case of taxi shortage.

UCG British Isles Senior Minister John Jewell said the Sabbath-observing organisation had been delighted with the community's effort.

"People have pulled out all the stops for us without us even asking.

If the whole country was run like Grange there would be no stopping us.

Everyone has been so kind, it leaves a very pleasant taste in the mouth."

The 300-year-old Christian organisation will be in Grange from today (Friday) to September 29 celebrating the feast of Tabernacles, which looks forward to a time when God reigns on earth and there is no war.

Mr Jewell said they had chosen the Lake District for the conference for its tranquillity and beautiful landscape and because many US visitors had cancelled travel last year after September 11.

Jean Smith, of Grange Tourist Information Centre, said pubs, restaurants and cafes had agreed to adapt to fit their opening hours around the conference to ensure there would always be somewhere for visitors to eat.

"This is superb for the town.

We have been planning this for nearly a year, hopefully things should run smoothly," said Mrs Smith.

Traders have donated goods such as mintcake, postcards and chocolate for a visitors' "goody bag"- organised by the Tourist Information Centre - and written a welcome letter to every visitor.

President of Grange Chamber of Trade, Mark Hadwin, said: "They have booked into local hotels, guest houses and B&Bs so they have all benefitted.

Traders are hoping they will come into Grange when they get some free time to have a look around the shops.

We want to make the right impression and encourage them to visit again."