The Cathedral Church of St Nicholas in Newcastle is hoping to attract more young people through a host of new initiatives.

The cathedral has just launched Lantern Live, a new music event to be staged on the first Friday of each month in its Lantern Café.

The event will feature acoustic and electric jazz, blues, folk, classical and rhythm-and-blues music, performed live by young musicians.

On September 25, the cathedral will launch nic@noon, a weekly series of lunchtime discussion events on Sundays. Student participants will even be treated to a free meal.

The cathedral is tapping into social networking sites, Facebook and Twitter, to help spread the word about its activities.

Canon Sheila Bamber said: “The use of social media to help us reach out to young people is a really important tool and we are keen to fully embrace everything it has to offer.”

The launch of Lantern Live was attended by dignitaries including the Sheriff and Deputy Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Jackie Slesenger, and the Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt Rev Martin Wharton.

Performing on the night was ceilidh band Green Shoots, whose song Fiery Clock-Fyece, is based on the 19th century days when the cathedral clock was lit by gaslight.

Band member David Walker said: “It is important that there are new venues like this. It allows young bands to play to different audiences.”

Canon Sheila Bamber said: “It is crucial that we reach out to the city’s young people and our initiatives are designed to make the cathedral appear more relevant to them.

"We believe that the church has something to offer our young people. In addition, Lantern Live is a showcase for the abundance of young musical talent that we know exists in Newcastle.”

The cathedral is seeking as many local young musicians as possible to take part in Lantern Live. Anyone interested is asked to call 0191 232 1939