CHIEF Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks visited Bournemouth on Sunday for the Mayor's Civic Service.

Rabbi Sacks gave an address during the service at the Bournemouth Orthodox Synagogue in Wootton Gardens to which Bournemouth Mayor Anne Filer responded.

President of the Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation Harvey Lipsith said: "The Mayor's Civic Service is held at the Mayor's regular place of worship.

"We have had it here a few times before."

Speaking before the service Mayor Anne Filer, who was dressed in red robes, said: "It is very special.

"I am very honoured the Chief Rabbi is here. It is like having the Archbishop of Canterbury attend."

She also explained that usually women sit in the balcony of the synagogue and the men sit downstairs but on Sunday women sat on one side of the ground floor, men on the other and she sat in the middle.