PARISHIONERS of a Bury church without a priest have voted to keep it running after being faced with the possiblity of closure.

Residents in and around the area of Holy Trinity will now be leafleted in a bid to address the problem of falling congregation numbers.

The only Anglo Catholic church in Bury, located in Spring Street, has been without a priest since Father Derek Hailes retired last September.

Deterioration of the church building has also presented many problems, with vandalism a constant nuisance.

The congregation recently gathered for an important "make your mind up" meeting.

The choice facing worshippers was to vote for the closure of the church or face up to the challenges of continuing and renewing the mission of Holy Trinity.

Choosing not to shut down the church, local people will now be invited to share in the church's future.

Since Father Hailes retired, services have still been held each Sunday without interruption with Holy Communion being celebrated by a large number of priests.

These included Bishop John Gaisford, late Bishop of Beverley.

In addition, there are weekly services when the celebrant is Father Tony Davies of St Augustines, Tonge Moor.

Worshippers say that there is a new spirit of optimism at Holy Trinity.

Church warden Colin Johnson, paraphrasing American humorist Mark Twain, said: "The news of our demise has been greatly exaggerated."

Holy Trinity first became available for worship in 1864 and was consecrated on April 19, 1865.