THANK you for highlighting the problem of churches being attacked by arsonists (LET, November 3).

Your editorial included a statement by Mr John Taylor, of the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service: "It's time for the churches to get high tech," with the added intention of emergency talks "to give church ministers the necessary jolt to take positive action."

Again, you were right to mention 'mindless yobs' as the real culprits and even more right to draw attention to the fact that most churches are strapped for cash.

I don't think that most people understand the financial strain being felt by churches and how little money, if indeed any, is available after paying their own yearly running costs.

For example, the collections in my parish church last year totalled £41,000; probably among the highest in the town (I know of some churches where the annual figure doesn't reach £12,000).

Our 'share' this year payable to the diocese, which includes stipend, pension, house, diocesan and national costs is £35,450. Next year, it is £38,266. Incidentally, we pay in this 'share' an extra 10 per cent to assist poorer parishes.

In addition, we obviously have to pay normal 'running costs,' including £4,500 insurance on the church building plus gas, electricity, phone and motoring costs, payment to the day school, general maintenance and other parish requisites.

Over the past few years, thanks to some generous gifts and bequests, we have spent some £30,000 on security alone, mainly covering windows, erecting gates and floodlights.

We have also spent £50,000 bringing facilities up to date: ramps and toilets for the disabled, toilets for other ladies and gentlemen, as well as a 'loop' hearing system for hard of hearing people.

All the latter will shortly be required by law.

Some churches still haven't a toilet, let along 'high tech' security equipment. Moreover, as well as the church building, there are parish halls to be kept up to date to meet health and safety requirements of the local authority.

During my 11 years at St Silas, a total of £210,000 has been spent on church and hall: obviously too tall an order for most parishes. Solutions? I believe part of the answer to the whole problem of vandalism as far as churches are concerned (you recently highlighted the similar problem for schools), is two-fold.

First, the role of parents. Do they care where their children are?

Secondly, how much money is given to children who obviously spend freely on drink and, more recently -- to the great distress of many -- on fireworks?

Finally, as far as the churches and parishes are concerned, the lack of physical and financial support is patently obvious.

A commission has been set up which is currently assessing the 22 Anglican parishes which constitute the Deanery of Blackburn with Darwen.

My warning to faithless, lapsed parishioners is: don't complain when your parish church closes.

It takes more than 'high tech' facilities to keep a parish going.

THE REV BRIAN STEVENSON, St Silas' Vicarage, Preston New Road, Blackburn.