'We're delighted': Rector of Northampton's All Saints Church welcomes plans to partially reopen churches

The Rector of All Saints Church in Northampton has welcomed news that churches will be able to open again for private individual prayer.

The Rev Oliver Coss welcomed the news but said it was not a surprise and they were well in their way to developing plans. The change is due to come in on June 15.

"We're delighted to hear that the government has at long last recognised that allowing those to seek the Lord in his temple is at least as important as getting some non-essential shopping done," the Rev Coss said tonight, Sunday.

"We're grateful to see moves to serve the spiritual, as well as the economic, life of our town are afoot.

"Tomorrow we'll say more, but because this news wasn't a surprise to us - indeed, it came a week or so after we were expecting - it does mean we're well along the way to having developed plans for opening.

"We'll say more about what they are, how you can help, and how you can support even if you don't feel able to leave home right now.

"And please be assured that our livestreams, and worship, and prayer for the whole town will continue unabated. As we have always done, and will always do for Northampton at whose heart we're privileged to be set," he added.

The Rev Coss has been conducting online services throughout the lockdown period.