CHURCHES were packed over the festive season as record numbers of people flocked to Christmas services.

In the run-up to Christmas, places of worship in Swindon reported a surge in the number of parishioners, and also an increase in new faces turning out.

Church leaders believe the increase in attendance is due to a sense of unease since the September 11 attacks on New York, and that people are turning to the church for support.

Dr Bill Beaver, communications officer for the Church of England, said: "Attendance was up everywhere. Obviously part of the increase can be explained by September 11.

"It is a sign that people are trying to put things into perspective."

Reverend Alastair Stevenson, vicar at St Barnabas Church in Gorse Hill and All Saints Church in Southbrook Street, is encouraged by the turn-out. He said: "Attendance has definitely gone up. On Christmas Eve it was up by ten per cent at both churches.

"There were people there I hadn't seen before and it's always good to welcome new faces. Around 60 people attended the services at both churches, out of a total parish population of about 7,500.

"We sent out Christmas cards this year with the dates and times of services so maybe that explains why the numbers are up on last year. But there is definitely a heightened awareness."

And Christ Church in Old Town, was also packed.

Reverend Simon Stevenette said the carol and crib services were better attended than last year and that it was a wonderful Christmas.

He said: "There was a terrific sense of God's love and presence. Thanks to everyone who made it possible."

Reverend Leslie Pinfield believes the congregation at St Luke's in Broad Street has remained the same as this time last year but did notice a shift in church-going trends at the time of the World Trade Centre terrorism.

He said: "I can't say there has been a significant difference over Christmas but we did seem to see more people after September 11.

"At midnight on Christmas Eve there were about 70 people. And earlier at the children's service about 35 turned up with their parents."

Church of England officials have announced cathedral attendance across the country could be up by more than 20 per cent on last year, with close to 800,000 worshippers attending over the Christmas period.