THE Bishop of Salisbury has issued a “declaration of hope” for the city.

The “Salisbury Declaration” is being sent out to more than 800 people inside his annual Christmas card

The Right Reverend Nicholas Holtam said: “Love, light, and life will triumph after a difficult year for his cathedral city.”

The Bishop’s declaration, which looks forward to 2019 offers a message of hope and prayers “for the life and soul of our cathedral city that it will prosper.”

It says: “For Salisbury, 2018 has been a difficult year. We have been reminded of our shared vulnerability and the interconnectedness of world events.

“In Advent, as we wait again in darkness to celebrate the light of Christ.

“We affirm God’s promise that goodness, love, light, and life will triumph.

“We hold in God’s healing all who are hurt, directly and indirectly.

“We thank all who risked themselves and responded with courage, dedication and skill.

“We pray for the life and soul of our cathedral city, that it will prosper and be a beacon of Christian values.

“We commit ourselves to promoting justice, truth and trust.

“We will live in peace and renew our hope, here and throughout the world.

“We declare that we will work together to achieve this."