CHURCH goers will soon be able to read all about it as Bolton's most prominent church takes some pressing action to breathe new life into the parish.

St Peter's, Bolton-le-Moors -- otherwise known as the Parish Church of Bolton in Churchgate -- will be bringing church issues bang up to date by re-launching its traditional magazine in a new format.

The team behind the publication -- called The Parish Magazine -- believe it will be a positive step forward in the church's work of shaping the parish for present day parishioners and for the future.

The 20-page, A4 format magazine has been put together by St Peter's own editorial team: the Rev Debby Plummer, editor Edward Steele-Wilson, Stephen Mort, Geoff Dowling and Jeremy Plummer. Mr Steele-Wilson said they would be making the best use of new technology such as digital imaging to ensure the magazine packs a punch.

"Local interest and profile topics will be included as well as parish news," said Mr Steele-Wilson. "There will be sections for services and ecumenical details, future events, social programme, choral and music development."

He added: "The magazine is part of our plan to breathe new life into the parish. We believe that the written word is a very effective way of doing this because you can refer back to it.

"Virtually every town and city has suffered a decline in their urban population and congregation numbers as a result.

"The magazine will be our way of keeping in touch with our parishioners because we cannot expect them to come in and see us if we do not make contact with them."

The first issue will be available from Monday onwards from the church, which is open between 10am and 2pm from Tuesday to Saturday.