“THE census figures present the Church and all Christians with a challenge to keep sharing the story of what our faith offers people in today’s world.”

That's the message from the Rt Revd Bishop of Salisbury, Stephen Lake, as new data shows that less than half of people in England and Wales identify as Christian, the first time the number has fallen below 50 per cent.

The picture is slightly different in Salisbury, with more than half of the area's population still identifying as Christian.

Rt Rev Lake told the Journal: “While fewer people in the UK identify as Christian, we know from many other surveys that huge numbers of people are praying regularly and want to explore questions of spirituality and faith. The Church of England is there for everyone, in every community, regardless of whether people tick the box to identify as Christian or not."

After Christianity, the next most common response in the census was no religion, followed by 'did not answer'. 

Rev Lake added: "It [the Church] offers space to think and reflect, as well as a place to both celebrate and mourn life’s events and challenges. This winter, Christians and parish churches in Wiltshire are also offering warmth and food as the church seeks to support people through the cost of living crisis."