A HOUSE of Lords peer told a lecture audience in Brentwood persecution of Christians and people of other other religions must stop.

Lord Alton spoke at Brentwood Cathedral in the first event of the annual Lenten Lectures at the venue.

His talk touched upon the actions taken against Christians and believers of other religions in countries such as Syria, Egypt and North Korea where the faith is a minority belief.

The peer said allowing abuse and in some extreme cases even deaths simply because of differing religious views should not be allowed to happen.

His speech received a standing ovation from the audience.