BBC Songs Of Praise top 40 favourite hymns - their stories and their continuing appeal and importance today.

Songs of Praise is the world's favourite religious television programme. Its popularity reflects the significance of hymns in the lives of many people. Hymns powerfully express the response of Christians to the love and grace of God. They bring comfort in life's dark days and express shared joys at times of celebration.

The book includes the 40 most popular hymns in Britain - as voted by viewers of Songs of Praise in an up-to-date poll. The hymns are a mix of old and new, and range from great communal anthems to personal worship songs. Andrew Barr skilfully weaves insights into their origins and authors with contemporary stories of the part they have played in people's lives.

ANDREW BARR has spent more than 30 years making religious television programmes for both ITV and BBC. Until June 2000 he was BBC Scotland's head of education and religious broadcasting. He is now a freelance author.