Church garden 300

Steve Matthews, member of the St Luke's Leadership Team and co-ordinator of the grounds' project, added: “Our vision for the project is to create a place of beauty and a haven for people and wildlife.

“We have found that caring for creation is a natural extension of our love for the Creator. We have been able to transform our grounds from a liability into a resource and, as we have welcomed in our local community, we have been amazed at the new links we have developed.”

St Chad’s, in Kirkby, has a dedicated wildflower programme in its grounds, which ensures the area changes in character throughout the year.

In the spring it is filled with wild flowers – snowdrops and crocuses at first, then bluebells and white bells as the spring goes on.

David Shreeve, the CofE’s national environment adviser, said: “Churchyards can be a vital biodiversity resource often containing a variety of wildlife which are unique to the area.

“While there are some areas needing to be mown, many churchyards can also be managed to provide excellent wildlife areas.”