REV Kim Stilwell, minister at Ludlow Methodist Church didn't move a muscle when, recently he heard about the sanctions which apply to those claiming benefit payments.

In response, the gathering of Methodist ministers made a Mannequin Challenge video.

The trend taking social media by storm involves people freezing for the camera, whilst music plays in the background.

The video shows ministers hearing about the issue, responding with prayer and worship and then staging a protest outside the church with the theme "rethink sanctions".

Youtube hits have been steadily growing since it was posted.

Kim said, "Our churches are very concerned about justice in our society. We work hard to respond to need. For instance, the church in Broad Street has an ongoing collection for the local Foodbank at Rockspring, as well as for refugees. When I heard about how the benefit sanctions work and how people's payments can be stopped, I realised that sanctions are a reason why people end up needing a food bank in the first place. This was powerfully played out in the film I, Daniel Blake recently shown at the Assembly Rooms. The video was fun to do but highlights a very serious issue."

The Methodist Church is joining with other partners to ask the government to rethink the way that benefit sanctions operate. They highlight the research showing that sanctions disproportionately affect vulnerable groups such as young people, single parents and those with long term illness and mental health problems.

The video, title ReThink Sanctions, can be found on Youtube at youtu.be/ihkVGwkYxBw