A message from the Dean of Wells Cathedral this Christmas

The Dean of one of the West Country's cathedrals says it is bucking the trend of falling congregation numbers. Wells Cathedral has seen a ten per cent increase in people attending Sunday services in the last year, according to The Very Revd Dr John Davies.

In an interview with ITV News West Country, he revealed that there is a similar story in Parish churches too. Christmas is a particularly busy time at Wells Cathedral and the time of year when, the Dean says, the church must keep its doors open, as it is now that those with a "quiet faith" who believe but may not belong to a church, choose to attend.

The Very Revd Dr John Davies has been in charge at Wells Cathedral now for over a year and he describes it with fondness.

The Dean's Christmas message: