PARISHIONERS are considering an appeal after church bosses agreed to a controversial merger of four Hampshire parishes.

The Church Commissioners in London backed a proposal by the Winchester diocese to bring together Colden Common with Twyford, Owslebury and Morestead by July 2008.

The Rev Andy Millar, currently vicar of Colden Common, will take over the new parish, which has yet to be named.

The Rev Mark Bailey, who hit the headlines when he buried a parishioner in a plot reserved by another family, is switching from Twyford to South Wonston after seven years.

Many worshippers were unhappy about the merger, arguing it would weaken pastoral care.

Parishioners have complained of ill-feeling between Colden Common and other parishes over the merger.

Freddy Crabbe, secretary of the parochial church council of St Andrew's in Owslebury, said: "The decision by the Church Commissioners came as a surprise. I did not think they would accept it. I think they have got it wrong in law."

An application for permission to a judicial review at the High Court has been lodged.

A spokesman for the Church Commissioners said: "We plan to let all the interested parties have the written reasons for the Commissioners' decision by December 19."

For the full story see today's Southern Daily Echo.