A CHURCH has revealed the measures it has taken after places of worship have been allowed to reopen for private prayer.

Places of worship have been able to reopen their doors for the first time since the start of the lockdown for individual prayer.

A spokeswoman for the Liverpool Church of England Diocese said the decision to reopen has been made by churches on an individual basis.

St Helens Parish Church in the town centre is among those to have reopened its doors.

The church has put measures in place to ensure social distancing and safety of worshippers.

These include a one-way system and 'X' symbols being placed on the floor in the pews to denote a safe place to sit if there are numerous people inside.

St Helens Parish Church said on its Facebook page: "Our doors will be open this week on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings around 9.15am to 10.45am and Wednesday afternoon 2.15 to 3.45pm.

"It’s a little different with a one-way system and social distancing measures.

"You are most welcome to your church - to rest, to pray, to find peace."

Reverend Beth Anderson, of Parish Church, said they are "delighted" to be able to open for people.

"The whole Deanery of St Helens have got together and some are opening and some aren't," she said.

"Hopefully somehere in St Helens a church is always open and we felt very much, particularly with where we are, to open with the shops around us.

"The volunteers have done brilliantly. We've got lots to celebrate.

"I know we can't be gathered yet but we've done quite well online with services and had Zoom get togethers. This will be a story that people look back on."