A church could soon be established down the street from where you live in one North Yorkshire town.

Street churches are being set up as congregations nationwide face a new challenge of fewer clergy in future because of the lack of money to pay them.

In a ground-breaking move, three pilot "cell churches" are being established by St Peter's Church, in Harrogate.

The small groups of about ten worshippers - or cells - will meet regularly, not only to give each other support, but to serve the streets where they live.

The cells will keep their eyes and ears open to step in and help when neighbours need help. That could mean anything from babysitting, to helping with hospital visits or even the ironing.

Vicar of St Peter's, the Reverend Tony Shepherd, said: "The groups will be good neighbours by keeping an eye on things. The sort of things they could do would be to help out in emergencies or look after a someone's pet when they are away. There are all sorts of ways in which they can help the community."

The church council decided to establish the groups after a warning from the Church of England that cash restraints will mean far fewer clergy in future.

"We want to see how the groups get on before perhaps encouraging others. When we evaluate their work we will simply be asking what difference the group has made to the neighbourhood.

"I have no doubt we will hear much more about these cell churches as they develop," said the vicar.

The Bishop of Ripon, the Right Reverend John Packer, has told his Ripon and Leeds Diocese that they face challenging decisions caused by fewer clergy in future.

St Peter's Church has responded by asking him to seize an opportunity to be bold "by leading the church into new patterns of ministry", said Mr Shepherd.

When established, cell churches will not take their names from roads or districts, but the christian name of their individual leaders.