Preaching in Rochester Cathedral at an ecumenical service organised by the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals on Saturday, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali said that "things are not as they should be".

Speaking on Isaiah 11 he told the 250-strong congregation that whenever justice is mentioned in the Bible it refers to animals as well as humans. He added that freeing animals was a biblical principle and that the term "free-range" originally came from the Bible.

As he spoke he was flanked by two battery hen cages containing prayer cards which were later distributed to the congregation.

The Dean of Rochester, the Very Rev Adrian Newman, spoke on the same theme and said that it was a sad indictment that celebrity chefs were the ones raising awareness to the appalling conditions in which battery hens are raised. The event was also supported by Animal Aid, the Battery Hen Welfare Trust, the Last Chance Animal Rescue Centre in Evenbridge and Folly Wildlife Rescue in Tunbridge Wells.

Bishop Nazir-Ali also blessed a small tortoise called 'Nettle' brought to the service in a shoe box.

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