CHRISTIAN clerics are turning to the book of iPhone to help spread the word of God in Lincolnshire.

The Diocese of Lincoln says it is attempting to reach new audiences by updating one of the hi-tech mobile phone's applications with religious news from the area.

County church officials signed up to use the myDiocese iPhone app after receiving an invite from the Diocese of Guildford in Surrey.

This will allow iPhone users to access Lincolnshire announcements at the touch of a button. An application for other phones is in development.

News on the app includes Bishop of Lincoln John Saxbee's thoughts on his visit to Lincoln Prison last week.

Diocese of Lincoln head of communications Will Harrison said: "The myDiocese application provides an excellent opportunity for the Diocese of Lincoln to engage with people using the technology we are coming to rely upon.

"We have a lot of good news to share with people, both the gospel message and the hard work the church is doing right now in every community in the country.

"To be able to share this news using mobile phones puts us in closer touch with those people with whom we are already communicating well."

Reverend Richard Eyre, of North Hykeham, said: "I think it's a brilliant idea to use modern technology and it's another way of trying to reach people.

"I think the difficulty is the younger people don't see the relevance or importance in the church and the Christian faith. I think there is huge work to be done to make a bridge to young people. Perhaps this is more in their cultural form."

But church volunteer and historian Chris Walker said he was unsure how many churchgoers owned iPhones.

The 24-year-old said churches could be successful in the modern era, but the message was more important than the method.

Mr Walker, of Brant Road, Lincoln, said: "It seems to me this is an attempt by the church as a whole to garner interest from a more youthful demographic, which seems to have long forgotten it.

"Much of their current flock isn't going to be interested in what's being offered here. Does your gran own an iPhone?"