Hallelujah – the numbers of people attending church has risen considerably over the past year.

Statistics released by the Church of England last week show an influx of more than 1,000 churchgoers over the previous year.

Attendance figures in the diocese of Southwark, which includes a majority of the Reigate and Banstead borough and Tandridge district, show the number of people who attend church weekly has risen from 45,700 to 46,800 people.

And the Guildford diocese, which includes the Banstead area, has seen attendance figures rise from 28,900 to 29,300.

The Rev Rosemary Webb, curate at St Matthew's Church, Redhill, said: "We've certainly seen a rise in our numbers.

"I think life has got more depressing. Last year was very traumatic and it's made people reinterpret life a bit.

"We haven't really altered our style of worship but always want people to feel welcome. We're delighted to see so many more people."

St Mary's Church, in Reigate, has seen a 10 per cent increase in numbers year-on-year for the past three years.

The Rev Phil Andrew, 47, said he tried hard to bring the message to people in an entertaining and relevant way – and thinks that is what makes the church successful.

He said: "I think churches always thought 'if you want to hear the good news you have to come and hear it on our terms'.

"But now we're realising 'we fit into your terms and find a way to share the good news with you'.

"I also think there's a growing sense that there's more to life than just our consumerist economy."

The Rev Steve Davie, 58, St Bartholomew's, Horley, agrees that churches have to adapt to fit modern life, and has also seen an increase in his congregation.

He said: "It's about getting people to see that church isn't just a private little club for self-righteous people. It's here for everybody.

"Last year we started a job club to support local people who had been made redundant. We work hard to try and be friendly to as many people as possible."

But the Rev Paul Keown, of Christ the King church, Salfords, doesn't attribute the use of "gimmicks" to the rise in congregation numbers, rather a growing willingness of people to talk about their spirituality.

He said: "Our church is very traditional and we don't feel we need to dress the message up because there's a general feeling people are more willing to talk about it.

"To be honest I don't believe numbers reflects success in a church.

"It's not a commercial enterprise. What reflects success is how people's lives are changed by having faith."