THE Vicar of Tadcaster is praying for pennies from heaven as he tries to find ways of making ends meet.

The Reverend Richard Burton said they were struggling to pay all their bills, and were now looking for divine intervention to keep them out of the red.

Members at the church's annual general meeting decided to call a week of prayer to ask God for guidance through their financial difficulties, and how best to fund their mission.

The week of prayer begins on Sunday, May 14, and will include prayers in church each morning, and on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

Parishioners are also being asked to read the Bible each day in their own homes, and pray for the church's financial needs.

Mr Burton said: "It costs about £1,000 a week just to cover the church's running costs. We just managed to pay our way this year by cutting costs to the bone, but we will be in the red this year unless we do something about it.

"We are constantly trying to cut back on costs, and we cannot put new ideas into practice if they cost more than a few pounds.

"We cannot face the future with confidence and hope if our thinking is dominated by money in this way. This is no way to serve God."

He added: "With our present level of income, we are finding it difficult to fulfil our mission and ministry adequately."

Mr Burton said the amount they paid the diocese each year for clergy pay had increased over the last eight years from £4,000 a year to £40,000.

Insurance had also rocketed because of churches being burgled, and heating costs had also soared. He said: "A town like Tadcaster, which does not have any real social problems, ought to be able to pay its way.

"We rely on people's generosity through donations, and we will have to hope that people respond by being even more generous.

"I'm reluctant to get everyone raising money every week because that is not our primary task. We should be helping with meals-on- wheels, taking Communion to the elderly and supporting people in hospital."