Reverend Sean Semple, the Rector of St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye has confirmed that there will be no public services at St Mary’s, or Walford Church or at Brampton Abbotts for the next few months. However members of the clergy will still be leading prayers and they are looking into ways of sharing this on social media.

Members of the church are also concerned about people feeling isolated and they urge people to contact them by phone or email if they need any support.The Rector has written a letter to the community which is on the churches website.

He said: "The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have recently requested, in line with Government advice, that all public worship in churches be paused until further notice. What this means is that Sunday and weekday services like Eucharists, or All Age Worship, have been stopped at St Mary’s Ross-on-Wye, St Michael’s Walford, and in Brampton Abbotts for the next few months. In churches where there has been unbroken Sunday worship for many centuries this is unprecedented, but it is a necessary measure to keep people safe and prevent the spread of the Coronavirus."

St Mary’s, Ross-on-Wye and St Michael’s, Walford will remain open every day for anyone who would like to pray, light candles, or simply spend a few quiet moments in thought.

The Rector added that funerals and small weddings will continue but the rules on personal hygiene and social distancing need to be applied – people will be encouraged to wash or disinfect their hands on entering the church; to sit at least two metres from one another, and to avoid touching one another or any common surface or item.

People vulnerable to the virus should be discouraged from attending such services.

He has also reminded people that the church is there to support the whole community, whether they attend church or not, or whether they believe in God or not.

He added: "We would not like anyone to become isolated or to feel desperate in any way, and so I invite you to contact me on 01989 562175 or [email protected] if we can be of any practical or spiritual support to you."