CATHOLICS worshipping in churches to the west of Durham are being asked for their views on whether to unite their parishes.

At the moment, people worship at four churches, at St Joseph’s in Ushaw Moor, St Michael’s in Esh, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, in Esh Winning and St Joseph’s in Langley Park.

Parish priest Father David Coxon says he wants to unite the four into a unitary parish for ease of administration.

People can vote on the proposals after mass this week.

Parishioner Patricia Geraghty, of Esh Winning, said: “Some may regret the demise of parishes in these old mining villages but the faith is still lively in Durham, so let’s see this change as a welcome 21st century innovation.”

Fr Coxon says the change will be largely administrative, and there would be no obvious change to the day-to-day pastoral experience of parish life.