THE Bishop of Blackburn is urging parishioners across the county to help victims of the flooding which has blighted much of central England.

The Rt Rev Nicholas Reade has written to every Church of England parish in Lancashire requesting their support for the national Church's Flood Disaster Relief Fund.

The Bishop has requested that donations should be sent to him at the diocesan offices in Blackburn.

Lancashire donations will then be split equally between the Church Urban Fund Disaster Relief Fund, handling provision of temporary accommodation, food and counselling support in urban areas, and the Arthur Rank Centre, which supports churches and communities in rural areas.

He said: "We have a good record in the Blackburn Diocese of responding generously to special appeals.

"I am sure, once again, we will be able to give help to those in great need."

Parishes are encouraged to have a retiring collection. Funds raised would support both urban and rural areas, through national Church-based initiatives, the Bishop said.

"Alternatively you might like to consider some other form of raising support for those in our communities up and down the country who have been so badly hit," he added.

The Church of England's national fund was launched this week by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu.