TWO Swindon Methodist ministers have been spreading the word wearing the rugby shirts of their arch rivals.

The Rev Mark Barrett, an English rugby supporter, and Welsh rugby fan, the Rev David Gray, agreed to take part in the ‘Shirt of Hurt’ in aid of Sports Relief.

Their congregations were then asked to make donations for charity to help ease the pain of donning their rival’s colours.

Mr Barnett preached at Bath Road Methodist Church in Old Town and Mr Gray at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Rodbourne Cheney on Sunday.

“I first heard of the idea on Danny Baker’s show on BBC Radio 5 Live,” said Mr Barnett.

“Two football fans from arch rivals Sunderland and Newcastle United agreed to swap shirts for the day if they were sponsored for Sports Relief.

“They called it the Shirt of Hurt as it hurt to be seen wearing the oppositions shirt and I thought that is something my friend and colleague Dave and I could do with rugby shirts.”

Both ministers agreed that they would lead the whole service wearing the Shirt of Hurt and there had to be photographic evidence to prove it.

Mr Gray added: “As a proud Welshman there is nothing more embarrassing than wearing an England shirt. My congregation know how passionate I am about Welsh rugby so they thought it was hilarious to see me standing in the pulpit wearing the white shirt of England.

“But they helped ease the shame with their kind donations and I think I had the last laugh, as Wales won on Saturday and England lost to France.”

So far £439 has been raised, with more money due to come in. To make a donation please call Mr Gray on 01793 823015.

More than £31.6m has been raised so far by celebrities and the public taking part in BBC’s Sport Relief charity event. The money will go towards global causes.

Friday’s telethon featured Gavin and Stacey’s James Corden as super coach Smithy in sketches with David Beckham, Andy Murray, Andrew Flintoff and the Manchester United team.

One Show presenter Christine Bleakley also water-skied across the English Channel.

You can donate to the cause by logging onto www.bbc.co.uk/ sportrelief.