A MEETING to discuss the future of the Catholic Church in Hyndburn has been called by the Bishop of Salford amid fears over the crumbling state of some of the buildings.

The future of four churches -- Sacred Heart, St Anne's, St Joseph and St Mary in Oswaldtwistle -- will be the focal point of a meeting later this month after a letter from the Bishop was sent to be read out at Sunday mass in the churches. But closure has not been discussed.

In the letter, The Rt Rev Terence Brain told parishioners: "Over the past few months it has become apparent that two of the four parish churches in the Accrington area will need major repairs to make them safe and fit for future years.

"Sacred Heart has some serious and extensive problems with dry rot while St Anne's has long-standing problems with its roof. A decision has to be made.

"In 1852 our predecessors built the first chapel on Hyndburn Road to meet the needs of the growing Catholic population at that time.

"With the same enthusiasm and vision we must take this opportunity to address openly and honestly the needs of the local Church in our own times."

Today the Bishop said finance was available for the repairs, though detailed structural surveys had not yet been carried out to discover the exact cost, likely to run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

He added: "There would be no trouble finding the money but we must decide the best course of action.

"We have spent 15 months asking: What is our mission? Now we must ask what structures we need in place to fulfil that mission. But nowhere in the letter do we mention closure. We need a period of reflection."

An open meeting for the four parishes will be held at Mount Carmel High School on Monday, April 29, from 7.30pm.