Ten Roman Catholic churches in Preston look set to be sold off over the next decade due to falling attendance numbers and increasing maintenance costs.

The churches, many of them historic listed buildings, could become worshipping grounds for other religions, according to the head of the diocese.

It comes after the Diocese of Lancaster revealed that it was close to bankruptcy.

The closures are part of its Fit For Mission review.

Canon Aidan Turner, who is spearheading the review said they had to take a realistic approach to spiralling costs and falling numbers.

Canon Turner is now asking parishioners to respond to the proposals.

He said: "We understand that people will be very upset and anguished but we have little choice.

"In the next ten years there will be half the number of worshippers and so we need to reorganise so that we can continue to spread the message of peace and god."

Canon Turner confirmed that many of the churches could not be razed due to their listed building status but said that they could be used by other religious groups as prayer centres or may be changed into community centres.

He added: "It will be really painful to let go of these buildings but circumstances have changed and we need to change too.

"These are just draft proposals and we will wait for people to come forward and tell us what they think, but if they do close then there is always the possibility that other religious groups could use the buildings for prayer."

Latest figures released by the diocese show that worshipper numbers have dropped from 17, 023 in 1974 to 6, 427 in 2004 and by 2020 they could drop further to 4,500.

Priest numbers are also predicted to fall, with just 10 priests to serve the whole of the city.

Parishioners have October 15 to respond to the proposals, through deanery pastoral councils and parishes.

The churches under threat are St Walburge's Church, Pedder Street, Ashton; English Martyrs, Garstang Road, Fulwood; SS Peter and Paul, and Our Lady and St Bernard, both in Larches Lane, St Joseph's, Skeffington Road, Holy Family, Whitby Avenue, Ingol; St Robert of Newminster, Catforth; St Mary, Darkinson Lane, Lea Town, St Maria Goretti, Gamull Lane, Ribbleton and Blessed Sacrament, Farringdon Lane, Ribbleton.