A NEW version of Mel Gibson's The Passion of The Christ is to be released in UK cinemas at Easter.

It will be out on March 25, entitled The Passion Recut, and will be approximately six minutes shorter than the original.

The new version has been given a 15 certificate whereas the original, released last March, was an 18. Gibson, who directed, produced and co-wrote the film has now assembled a new slightly 'softer' version.