SWOLLEN congregations over Christmas have left local churches upbeat about the prospect for the new year.

Many Dorset churches say they were heartened by the number of people turning out over the festive season and even before.

The increased attendances are despite last year’s census results, which suggested a declining number of people claiming a religious faith.

The Rev David Price, vicar of St John’s Church in Parkstone, reported a successful Christmas period, which began when Ashley Road’s Christmas tree switch-on attracted hundreds to the church.

“I’m a new kid on the block and wasn’t around last year but I know from the register attendances were up on last year, substantially so at some services,” he said.

“Christmas is about God stepping into a messed-up world – and we’ve certainly got one of those. I think a lot of people are aware of that and I think the good news of Jesus is just as wonderful as ever.”

“People are opening up to faith and growing in faith. I think the census results showed something of the increase in the secular nature of our country but I’m quite happy to swim against the tide.”

Poole Methodists are worshipping at Ashley Road in Parkstone while gearing up for a major refurbishment of their church in the town centre. The Rev Fraser Smith said attendances had been good.

“In Methodism we wouldn’t normally pick up a lot of people who didn’t have a tradition within Methodism, but I’m really surprised. Our numbers were, in all instances increased, over last year’s,” he said.

He said the extra worshippers were a mix of young people and traditional church-goers.

“Generally speaking our numbers have held their own. We’re starting a new venture in the evening with an international service, which is quite new but growing,” he said.

He said of last year’s census: “I don’t know that there’s a lack of belief so much as questions surrounding institutions.

“I don’t know that we’re ever going to be in a place where we would have been back in the 1940s, where faith was strong and important within the social fabric. But the position of the church, if it continues to recognise changes in the world around it and adapts to those and presents faith in a way that’s really meaningful for people, is that we have a significant role to play.”

Numbers visiting Wimborne Minster rose dramatically before Christmas.

Churchwarden Anthony Oliver said: “We had some very good services this Christmas period.

“Overall, it has been excellent, and lovely to have such large numbers present.”

In 2011, 636 visited the church for the carol service, whereas last year, 662 attended.

The church also saw a huge jump in the numbers attending the crib service before Christmas – 511 people, up from 365 in 2011.

However, both the midnight service and the Christmas morning service saw a drop in attendees.

Mr Oliver said: “The weather was very poor, which may explain smaller numbers on Christmas Day, but overall it was a very good year.”