A church has launched a weekly "Pokemon Lure" event to attract visitors who would otherwise not think to enter a religious building.
St Mary's Church in Haverhill, Cambridgeshire, began the Saturday sessions in early August and have had almost 100 people attend so far, according to Cambridge News. A global sensation, Pokemon Go is the most popular app in US history after it gained nearly 21 million users within its first week.
The game is played on a smartphone and users walk around a town or local area with the device, capturing Pokemon and duelling other gamers. Specific locations such as churches or community centres are designated "Pokemon Gyms" or other areas where Pokemon, and therefore gamers, congregate.
The church events involve a special "lure" module within the game which attracts Pokemon to a certain site. The more users who then flock to the site, the more Pokemon follow.
It was congregation member Tracy Sevenoaks who had the idea after she played the game with her two sons and realised the church was already a "hotspot" for Pokemon.
She said: "I just thought: 'We've got to do something,'" adding the game was helpful for people who have trouble socialising.
"It's a really lovely community - I would never have met these people. They are all great with the kids, there's no swearing, no-one's horrible.
"It's not just my son, but someone else I know with autism, it's got them out. It's got people who are not great at socialising, people with anxiety and depression coming out.
"It's helping a lot of people - I don't like this negativity about it."
Captain Andrew Payne of St Mary's said: "Pokemon is bringing people out, it's forming a community - which is really what church is about, it's about forming a community.
"If there's something happening we want to be a part of it.
"We are ordinary people just like they are. We don't all have three heads just because we go to church - unlike some Pokemon."
He insisted there was no "hidden agenda".
St Mary's is one of a number of churches in the UK to do similar events after the Church of England urged congregations to welcome gamers.
The CofE's digital media officer, Tallie Proud, said: "Pokemon Go is therefore giving churches around the country a great opportunity to meet people from their area who might not normally come to church.
"You might also spot people standing outside the church on their phones who may be playing the game and at your 'PokeStop'."
St Stephen's in Rednal, Birmingham, Hope Church in Islington, north London, and St Mary's Episcopal cathedral in Glasgow are other examples of churches registered as locations with the game. Christ Church in Stone, Staffordshire is among dozens to have held one off "Pokeparties" for players.
