Residents of Bingley came out in force tonight to pray for their town, its future and economic resurrection.

More than 200 people, young and old, packed into All Saints Parish Church for a service entitled Catching the Vision before sharing their thoughts on what can improve Bingley.

It was the brainchild of the church’s vicar, the Reverend Beverley Mason, who fears Bingley is at risk from “death and decay”.

Mrs Mason, a former City of London stockbroker, has been in charge at the church for 15 months. The crowd heard last night that she had a good track record for leading improvements having once cleared up a crime-ridden park in a previous diocese. Mrs Mason addressed the crowd at the start of the service. She said: “It is so exciting. It’s not the beginning or the ending, but it is certainly stirring. It has stirred inside us what is needed for Bingley and how we can, together, make great things happen here.”

She continued: “Thank you all for being here. It is great to see a full church and it is a great privilege to have you here with us.”

Mrs Mason also thanked the Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Khadim Hussain, the Bishop of Bradford the Right Reverend Nick Baines, Philip Davies MP - all three of whom addressed the crowd - and former Bradford Council leader Baroness Margaret Eaton for their attendance and support.

“We are praying for Bingley and stirring the imagination for Bingley,” added Mrs Mason.

The overwhelming feeling among the audience was that Bingley has strong community values, with one person commenting how it is “like a village atmosphere in a town”.

One of the main problems for Bingley, it was said, was the “eyesore” former Bradford and Bingley building, with pleas for Sainsbury’s to either do something with the site or let someone take it on.

Mrs Mason praised a “gathering of intelligent, imaginative and creative people”.

Coun Hussain said: “It is very encouraging to see people showing unity for Bingley.”