THE PROBLEM of maintaining historic churches will be discussed at a conference which will bring around 100 parishioners and Anglican leaders to Swindon.

A report to come before the meeting of the Bristol Diocesan Synod says more help is desperately needed if the region's churches are to survive.

The report, by the Church Heritage Forum, is among the items on the agenda at the conference being held at the University of Bath's campus in Marlowe Avenue on Saturday.

The authors of the report call for the diocese to form links with other bodies including the Government to help maintain churches.

They also say churches should be used more by the wider community.

The report says: "The present position cannot be sustained without involving further allies.

"The Church cannot maintain this inheritance alone. It is potentially at risk."

Also on the agenda are proposals to shake-up the way priests are trained.

The synod meets three times a year at different locations in the diocese.