THE Bishop of Blackburn has called for parishioners to visit rural churches over Easter and help save them from extinction.

The Rt Rev Alan Chesters wants to see urban congregations spread out after the outbreak of foot and mouth left many rural churches empty.

Their parishioners have been fearful that attending could spread the disease further, but this concern has left many churches short of money, the Bishop said.

The hardship was eased slightly after the Blackburn Diocese set up a £12,000 emergency fund to help to rural parishes and offered individual grants of up to £250 -- yet many are still edging to closure.

Rev Chesters, the grandson of a Cheshire farmer, said: "The rural communities are pleading: 'please can we have our visitors back?'.

"Visits to suitable rural churches would be one way to answer that appeal, and bring some badly needed income back to our stricken communities.

"Obviously the priority must be to try to prevent the outbreak spreading further. That would mean being sensitive to restricted areas and avoiding isolated churches accessible only by footpaths or through fields.

"But there are also many country churches set alongside roads, in the centres of villages or in market towns, where people could combine a visit with enjoying a meal in a local cafe or browsing round local shops.

"Many county churches are looking their best at Easter, when Christians celebrate new life in the resurrection of Jesus.

"It would be wonderful to think visitors also found time, during visits to country churches, to spend some time in the quiet of these holy and historic places remembering the farming communities, and asking for God's help in their search for new life after the devastation of disease.

"Rural communities need our prayers, especially at this time. Hopefully church visits could form one special way of uniting town and country in both a spiritual and practical way to bring support and encouragement to the countryside during this Christian season of new life and hope."

The annual Good Friday Pike Fair at Rivington, Chorley, has been cancelled because of foot and mouth disease.

The decision to keep the venue closed over the Easter holiday period was made after discussions between landowners United Utilities, farmers, councillors, police and the ministry of agriculture.

Julie Spinks, head of environment and community at United Utilities, said: "The park has a large number of sheep, and with the very high numbers of visitors, they could unwittingly introduce foot and mouth disease to the area.

"We realise that the loss of the traditional event is a blow to residents and visitors alike. However, all those involved in the discussions felt it would be prudent to do everything possible to protect farmers in the area. "