WITH church attendance generally in a slow decline, perhaps the vicar's formal attire may be part of the problem.

A motion put forward at the Church of England General Synod would allow clergy to dress for services in a more relaxed style.

They might even, where appropriate, be allowed to wear tracksuits and trainers - or maybe, at times of patriotic intensity, an England football shirt.

The changes would only be made to suit each individual parish. As for wearing trainers and tracksuits, this would at least allow jogging vicars to get on with their exercise immediately after the service.

Updated: 12:13 Wednesday, June 19, 2002