NEW statistics have revealed that more adults and children are packing the pews by attending church services in Wyre Forest.

Figures for Church of England churches in 2003 showed a rise in attendance at St John's and St George's churches in Kidderminster and at St Anne's in Bewdley.

There was a 20 per cent rise in people taking communion at Christmas and Easter at St John's and at St George's Church adult attendance increased by 10 per cent, while youth numbers also went up.

Canon Nick Barker, of St George's Church, said: "Its very encouraging. We are aware of numbers going up in our church and at St John's.

"I think what it shows is that people still have concern for the spiritual realities in life. In the past, people have turned their back on their church but are now discovering a rich heritage there."

He added that the church's policy of involving children and young people in church through youth groups had helped increase the number of young people attending.

There was also an increase in Christmas and Easter communicants and four times as many baptisms in 2003 as 2002, at St Anne's Church.

Rev Keith James said he was not sure why there had been an increase but believed the church's friendly attitude to children helped. He said: "We are a child-friendly church. We try and make sure children and young people are welcomed and have a part to play in the church, along with the adults."

The church also works closely with St Anne's C of E first and middle schools.

Nicola Currie spokeswoman for the Worcester Diocese, said the figures for the area went against the national trend of a reduction in attendance.

The average weekly attendance in the diocese was 17,900, compared with 14,400 for 2002 and the increase in Sunday attendance was up, from 14,300 to 15,000.

It was one of 19 dioceses across the country that saw an increase.