DWINDLING numbers of clergymen joining the cloth is leading a to a cut in the number of parishes in North Wiltshire at a time when congregations in the district are bucking national trends and rising.

Bristol Diocese plans to cut the number of parishes from ten to six with vicars close to retirement not being replaced.

Corston with Rodbourne parish rector Guy Oswald retires in two years but parisioners are worried about who will take on his role in the community.

A parish meeting will now be held to decide whether to join the Malmesbury Abbey group, or the more rural group including Lea, Great Somerford and Dauntsey.

Area Dean Canon Andrew Evans said: "The parish can choose where it feels its needs are best served."

He added: "This is part of of a gradually thought-out strategy which received a lot of support from parishioners."

Treasurer of the Parochial Council Brenda OIiver said: "We want to get the village together and explain what our options are. We're dithering on the blink at the moment as there are good things either way."

Parisioners are being asked to attend the meeting where the Parochial Council will help explain the balance of issues of joining either group.

Contrary to recent trends the number of church goers is rising with an increase of 2% in North Wiltshire in 2005.

The meeting will be held onTuesday, May 1 at 7.30pm in the Corston Reading Room.