Churchgoers in the Ripon and Leeds Diocese believe their churches need to attract more young people.

In a survey 85 per cent either strongly agreed or agreed on the issue of attracting more youngsters. The survey covered more than 400 people in 40 parishes from inner city Leeds to the rural heartlands of North Yorkshire.

Eighty four per cent proclaimed themselves "proud to be a member of the Church of England".

Seventy nine per cent believed the church needed to present the Christian faith more clearly. More than 80 per cent said the BBC was wrong to reduce its religious output.

The survey was conducted by a diocesan task group and has been analysed by the Statistics Department at Leeds University.