A church in Darwen has replaced some benches and pews with bean-bags in a bid to attract young parishioners.

Children are also be ingenticed by a 'Big Bags for Little People' project, which provides brightly-coloured bags containing a book, pad of paper, crayons and a simple Communion guide.

The move comes at St Peter's CE Church, Darwen, where the Rev Andrew Holliday wants to make children feel safe and comfortable so they enjoy returning to church as they grow.

Mr Holliday said: "The bean-bags are for members of the congregation with small children to use.

"If people think one of the bags may help someone sitting near them, perhaps they could get one and take it to them.

"We have new bean-bags in green, yellow, maroon and brown.

"We have moved a couple of pews around to create a comfortable area where those with young families, who want to be a part of the service, can go. This is where the bean-bags will be.

"It may make them feel that little bit extra special and welcome here at St Peter's, particularly those with very young children who need a bit of space and somewhere more comfortable, rather than sitting on pews and on the floor.

"In the couple of weeks we have used them so far, they have been really successful. It's a novelty for the children."

The other colourful bags, which are available at the back of the church, contain crayons and paper, a reading book and a Communion cube which opens out and takes the children through the Communion service in a colourful way.

Mr Holliday added: "We get some young families who come along occasionally and some who attend just for special events like a baptism.

"Hopefully when they see what we are doing it will encourage them to come along more often."