PENDLE'S MP is calling for members of the clergy to be able to enjoy a more secure retirement.

Gordon Prentice has told the House of Commons that some vicars and priests will face poverty in their old age unless parishes help to pay to support them.

The Labour backbencher said that the financing of clergy pensions became the responsibility of parishes in the late 1990s.

But he said that while some well-off parishes had a large surplus of cash, less affluent ones were struggling -- so the cash should be shared.

Mr Prentice's call for action to help clergy came after a union highlighted the potential financial plight of some church leaders.

It was revealed that almost half of clergy members feel insecure in their jobs, believing there are plans to abolish their posts.

A survey was carried out by Amicus, which has members among the clergy and found a third faced changes to their jobs. An Amicus spokesman said the findings highlighted the lack of employment rights the clergy enjoyed.