FURTHER to Frances Earlam's story ('Five generations gather for very special christening', Globe, September 24), it is gratifying to hear our local churches are used on such special occasions.

But the sad part about it is that none of the families associated with that particular event attend St Paul's Church. This is not unique to this family and I am in no way ridiculing them - most other christenings that take place in this church have a similar background of non-attendance at church both before and after the event.

St Paul with St Luke's Parish Church, Tranmere, go give it its full title, is facing severe financial difficulties, due in the main to non-attendance by those persons who live in the parish.

Without their support, this fine old church has a doubtful future.

Some 12,500 persons live in this parish, yet we only muster a congregation of about 50, of which 70 per cent reside outside the parish boundary. With a few exceptions, those faithful few are well into their twilight years, many are pensioners on low income and naturally the numbers are slowly dwindling away.

In the main, people living in the parish require this church in their hour of need, be it at the sad times of bereavements or on the joyful occasions of christenings or weddings.

St Paul's Church will endeavour always to be here for parishioners in their time of need, whether they regularly attend church or otherwise, but without the support of parishioners, both physically and financially, the road ahead looks uncomfortable and the continuing availability of the church doubtful, to say the least.

Keith Marsden,

Church Warden,

St Paul with St Luke's Parish Church,

Tranmere.