CHURCH congregations across Hampshire are swelling as part of a national resurgence in Christianity, senior clergymen say.

Figures released by the Diocese of Winchester yesterday, reveal the weekly average attendance across the diocese has gone up from 33,600 to 33,800 between 2010 and 2011.

It follows national results released by the Church of England church showing attendances have risen in 20 of its 44 regions.

Overall there is 0.3 per cent drop nationally but points to a levelling off of the steep fall in people attending services.

In the Diocese of Winchester there is a 11 per cent hike in people attending Christmas services climbing to 93,000 in 2011 with 36,300 people taking communion and reflecting a 14.5 per cent rise nationally.

People attending Easter services rose by 3 per cent from 43,300 to 44,600 over the period and there was a 1 per cent rise of under 18s attending church from 6,900 to 7,000.

There was also a 15 per cent hike in adult Christenings with 230 people opting for the ceremony in 2011 compared to 200 in 2010, but there was a slight drop in infant baptisms which fell by 30 over the period to 2,460.

The number of weddings plummeted by 9 per cent to 1,1790 although people opting for blessings - including civil partnerships climbed by 3 per cent to 130 - and nationally the church is marrying 1,000 couples a week.

There was a 3 per cent drop in funerals from 2,260 down to 2,190 but this may reflect a 1.8% fall in people dying in the region over the period.

Bishop of Winchester The Right Revd Tim Dakin said the figures reflected the church's work reaching out in food banks, youth centres, nightclub chaplaincies and church school education and added: “It is my hope that these figures, while not the be-all and end-all, are a reflection of genuine growth throughout the Church, and through our many forms of engagement, more and more people will bear witness to the love of Jesus and his mission."

"The increase of attendance at Christmas and Easter is particularly encouraging, especially given that indications show that this has continued into 2012.”

In the East Tytherley Parish near West Wellow the congregation has risen from six to 10 in a small village parish with 200 people and priest Revd James Pitkin said: “The figures confirm what we already know - that the Church is alive and kicking in our parishes.”