Trance music legends Faithless once said “God is a DJ” and praised the healing power of the dancefloor.

Now, the band’s vision is coming close to reality – as more than 1,000 ravers are set to head to Canterbury Cathedral for its first-ever silent disco.

The event will feature classic 1990s tracks from the likes of the Vengaboys, Eminem and, of course, All Saints.

Some eyebrows may be raised at the prospects of the ‘Vengabus’ coming to the sacred site where Saint Thomas Becket was murdered.

But church leaders say they need to reach out to younger people and find ways of raising the “large sums” the Cathedral requires to survive.

The landmark’s historic Nave will be transformed into a dancefloor for two nights next year – on Thursday, February 8 and 9.

Attendees will be treated to a wide range of tunes, varying from Britney Spears to NSYNC, Oasis and Peter Andre.

Serving as the main body of the building, the Nave is one of the key congregation points for religious services and extends from the entrance to the transepts/chancel. The Martyrdom site of Becket’s murder is in the north-west transept.

The Dean of Canterbury, The Very Reverend Dr David Monteith, explained the logic behind the idea and noted “dancing of all different kinds has already happened in the Cathedral over the years”.

He said: “Cathedrals have always been part of community life in a way much wider than their prime focus as centres of Christian worship and mission.

“We want to engage with the wide demographics that make up our local communities.

“With the Church of England, we have a commitment to work more with younger people.

“The Cathedral does have to raise large sums each year and we need to raise more.

“Our growing programme of events, if successful, will help with that but bringing in new audiences and making new connections with many people who have little if any connection with a church is also a key aspect of this project.”

The 90s party will be hosted by ‘Silent Discos in Incredible Places’, which has organised more than 60 similar sell-out events. The company has previously taken over venues such as Newcastle and Chester Cathedral.

It is expected that 750 people will attend each day, with two sessions on both the Thursday and Friday. Tickets start off at £25 – with VIP options up for grabs at £31 – and the Friday sessions are said to be totally sold out already.

Silent discos see ravers don headphones and dance to the music. So neighbours needn’t worry about hearing the Backstreet Boys blaring out from the Cathedral, though they may hear the party-goers singing in unison.

Reaction on social media has been positive with one person saying: “This is a bit of me; sinning and repenting under one roof.”

Another remarked: “Sold out within 10 minutes of going on sale - how is that even possible?”

It is not the first time a Kent cathedral has taken an alternative approach to increasing public interest.

Four years ago, Rochester Cathedral grabbed headlines with its mini golf plans.

The Nave was turned into a nine-hole course and more than 29,000 people picked up a putter – but critics called it “ridiculous”.

The Canterbury disco is just one of many ways the city Cathedral is aiming to connect with younger and newer audiences.

A LEGO masterclass set to take place this autumn, along with the return of the light show Luxmuralis next year.