CHURCHGOERS in Lancashire are being urged by their bishop to reverse a long-standing trend of falling attendances.

In the past 16 years the number of people regularly visiting Anglican churches in the Diocese of Blackburn, which cover most of Lancashire, has dropped by 30 per cent.

Around 26,000 adults were members of congregations in 1989 - but that figure fell to barely 18,000 by last year.

Officials know they must reach out to 21st century communities to show Christian teachings still have much to offer.

Bishop of Blackburn, the Right Rev Nicholas Reade, has asked people to support his Going for Growth initiative, designed to encourage more worshippers back to the church.

He said: "In planning for the future we have consulted widely with clergy and the laity and drawn together a strategy for the next five years.

"This consists of consolidating existing good work while also initiating new areas of sustainable growth."

Still motivated by prayer and worship, he is eager to see his bishops, archdeacons and canons venture out into towns across the county to listen and engage with different neighbourhoods and their needs.

As the diocese stretches from Blackburn through Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and the Ribble Valley, up to Lancaster, across to Blackpool and down to Chorley, this means senior church figures visiting around 20 parishes each.

Larger churches are about to benefit from a new growth fund, of up to £100,000, which will support work to increase membership numbers specifically.

The initiative also hopes to encourage younger people to consider joining the Christian ministry.