A shortage of young clergy has emerged in Bolton, the town's bishop has warned.

In recent years, nationally the Church of England has found it increasingly difficult to attract people to train to become vicars, the Rt Rev David Gillet says.

Many of the 22 people who began training to enter the ministry in the Manchester and Salford Diocese last year are aged over 40, Bishop Gillet says, although it's an increase of trainees compared to 13 in 1999.

A year-long wait for a new vicar was not unusual and that it was nevertheless important for the clergy to have time to prepare for a new chapter, Bishop Gillet said.

He said: "Nationally there are fewer clergy so sometimes rationalisation has to take place. Whereas 10 years ago, a parish might have had a full-time vicar, that may not be possible in the future.

"Part of the issue is that we're having more retirements than there are young candidates being ordained.

"Thirty years ago the Church did go through a period when it said it was better for ministers to have life experience before ordination but that trend took hold too exclusively."

Bishop Gillet said the Church had "a very real missionary task" before it and needed to do more to emphasise the value of life as a clergyman and give practical help to local communities.