The Bishop of Chelmsford has moved to clarify the controversial alternative baptism service, currently on trial in the Church of England.

The requirement to repent sins and reject the devil has been removed for the alternative baptism service, which is on trial in 400 churches until April.

According to Bishop Stephen Cottrell, the lead bishop for the deanery which Redbridge is apart of, said “15 to 20” churches in the borough are piloting the service.

He said: “It is a pilot so a small number of churches are involved in it. It has been reported in the media that it is available to everybody but it is not like that.”

Bishop Cottrell added there were some good elements of the new service and “some which needed to be worked out.”