SOAP operas on Sundays are decimating congregations at evening church services, claims Blackburn vicar, the Rev Brian Stevenson.

He singles out the tea time omnibus edition of Coronation Street and its prime time 7-30 show as the church's greatest competition.

Mr Stevenson also says that soap operas drive him mad .

Whether we like them or loath them, it is a fact of life that soaps attract the largest regular TV audiences.

Is Mr Stevenson advocating the cancellation of Sunday night television?

Surely, if the church sees television as such a serious competitor, the way to get more bottoms on pews is to make services and festivals more appealing.

If Mr Stevenson's church is attracting only 30 people on Sunday nights the message is clear. Many of his parishioners feel the lure of television is greater than that of the church.

The solution lies with church leaders of all denominations.

They need to talk to those who have quit their dwindling congregations and find out what would persuade them to exchange soaps for sermons.

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