For decades, Christians have gone on pilgrimages to the River Jordan – bathing on the banks where Jesus was baptised.

They have approached the river both from Israel in the east, and Jordan in the west.

Historically, the Israeli side has attracted more tourists as it follows part of a Holy Land pilgrimage, which includes Nazareth and Jerusalem.

But now Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) has declared that the Jordanian side will be protected as a World Heritage Site.

The organisation has said that a Jordanian site on the river “is believed to be” the place of Jesus’ baptism, based on the view of the majority of Christian churches.

The Jordanian government welcomed the announcement.