A London church has joined in Fourth of July celebrations with a special American Independence Day service.

The service at St Margaret Pattens Church, in Eastcheap, was led and organised by priest-in-charge the Reverend Hugh Thomas.

The church's proximity to the financial district means it has historically enjoyed an internationally diverse congregation, including many Americans.

The celebration was attended by Americans living in the capital and was organised to give them an opportunity to celebrate their nation's history together with other members of the church.

The US-themed service was joined by the Reverend John A D'Elia, Senior Pastor at the American Church in London, who preached the sermon and read a section from Martin Luther King's Nobel Lecture from 1964.

St Margaret Pattens Choir, made up primarily of London's city workers, performed songs written by American composer Aaron Copland.

Reverend Thomas said: "Today was a good opportunity to celebrate the special relationship and our shared Christian heritage."

The original St Margaret's is believed to have been founded in 1067 and is dedicated to Saint Margaret of Antioch. the church today was designed by Christopher Wren in 1687 and is a Grade I listed. The church is notable for its 200-ft high spire, which is Wren's third highest and the only spire which he designed in a medieval style.