PARISHIONERS are to be given a say on the future of the Catholic Church in Hyndburn amid fears that four of the churches could close.

At a crisis meeting, called by the Bishop of Salford the Rt Rev Terence Brain, around 500 parishioners gathered to hear what the future would be.

But the decision making has been thrown open to a steering group of the priests from St Mary's in Oswaldtwistle and Sacred Heart, St Anne's and St Joseph's in Accrington, along with parishioners and Dean David Lupton.

This group will meet regularly and put together proposals to go to the Bishop in three months.

The meeting held earlier this week was called by the Bishop amid fears over the crumbling state of some of the buildings. No definite decisions have been made although it has been confirmed that the schools attached to the churches are in no danger of closure.

Last month the Bishop said that Sacred Heart had serious and extensive problems with dry rot and that St Anne's had a long standing problem with its roof. But while the money was available for repairs it might be better spent elsewhere.

Detailed structural surveys have not yet been carried out to discover the exact cost involved but it is likely to run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Father Martin Saunders, of St Joseph's, said: "People were very anxious and concerned about their own churches and the future of the Catholic church in Accrington generally.

"But the mood was upbeat as no decisions have been finalised yet and not all the churches are dying. St Joseph's and St Anne's especially are very healthy. But we do feel the consultation should be widened to look at the church throughout Hyndburn."

Fr Saunders said that possibilities to be discussed by the steering group included the relocation of one or two priests, the closure of one or more churches or the creation of a new Catholic church for the whole area. The ideas will put to the Bishop in August and he will report back to them at a later date.