More than 100 churches across Cumbria will be the first to take part in a national pilot scheme to help encourage contactless giving.

The countywide roll-out is the first of three nationally by the Church of England in 2021 and will see 115 contactless payment units offered up to churches across the county.

It represents a £1.25 million investment by the national church in enabling people to give digitally in parishes.

The offer will see most participating Cumbrian churches provided with one of two types of contactless unit, dependent on WiFi availability and whether they are to be left unattended in buildings.

The units are interactive and offer a number of different amounts to donate.

Six churches will receive a bespoke device: the Priory Church of St Mary Magdalene, Lanercost; St. Lawrence's, Appleby; St Michael and All Angels, Hawkshead; St Mary's, Ambleside; St Oswald’s, Grasmere and St Bees Priory.

The Rev Beverley Lock, team rector of St Mary’s, Ambleside, said: “We really welcome the opportunity to help lead this pilot and give thanks that Cumbria has been chosen as a pilot area.

“More and more we are seeing people who worship in and visit our churches turning to contactless forms of payment in their day-to-day lives so it’s really important that the church is able to offer them the same opportunity to give financially.

“We are so grateful for all the ways in which people give to our mission, both through action and in monetary ways. During the Covid pandemic, we’ve really missed our regular visitors for their fellowship and encouragement. We hope this will make their generous giving easier.”

It is hoped that all of the units will be installed in Cumbrian churches by the end of May.