ANGRY parishioners criticised a vicar for failing to attract new worshippers and securing the future of their church.

Hundreds of people packed into Holy Trinity Church, Prestolee, on Wednesday night to discuss proposals to close it because of serious cash problems.

The Rev Tony Roache admitted he had little hope the church could be saved, but locals blamed him for not doing enough to attract people.

Susan Brodley, of Riverside Drive, Prestolee, said: "There has been a great opportunity for the people who run this church in the last few years because many houses have been built in the local area.

"Why haven't they been out there evangelising and trying to get their flock back?

"They should have been getting people back into the church and then they would have all the funding they need."

Mr Roache defended himself by saying: "I can't bring people kicking and screaming back to church. It's a decision individuals must take."

The church has served the community for the past 146 years, but congregations have dropped to around 30.

It has a sister church, St Saviour's in Ringley, but the church council have earmarked Holy Trinity for closure because of expensive roof repairs which could costup to £500,000 to be fixed.

Mr Roache, who runs both churches said: "It is mainly to do with finance and the majority of the church council voted in favour of closing Holy Trinity, not St Saviour's.

"My vision is of people coming along to worship and share their love of God between each other and for God and that doesn't necessarily depend on having two church buildings."

The Holy Trinity site has been earmarked for a possible housing development