THE vicar of a town centre church is aiming to cash in on the extended Sunday shopping boom - and boost the size of his congregation. Canon Alan Wolstencroft is determined to make the most of the crowds flocking into the shops and persuade some of them to join his flock at Bolton Parish Church at Churchgate. The Vicar of Bolton said: "Sunday opening is the law now and we have to accept that.

"We don't want to encourage people to shop on a Sunday. But if they're coming into town anyway we hope some of them will come in and use the church as well."

The majority of town centre shops opened on the Sabbath yesterday and will continue every week right through to Christmas Eve.

And Canon Wolstencroft has appealed in the parish magazine for ideas on how to tempt shoppers away from the High Street and into the pews.

He said: "These people may not necessarily come to a formal service, but they might enjoy getting away from the hustle and bustle for five minutes for quiet reflection."

Volunteers would be needed to sit in if the church was to stay open through the day.

Canon Wolstencroft added: "On Christmas Eve some shoppers may enjoy an afternoon carol service to get in the right frame of mind for Christmas after last minute shopping."

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