CHURCHES in the UK are making more than £20,000 each month, an average of £200 each, by renting out their empty car park spaces to motorists needing somewhere to park.

The latest research by YourParkingSpace.co.uk also found that more than 100 churches are listed on the portal’s pre-booking parking website, where motorists can find more flexible, and alternative, options to on-street parking and traditional car parks.

However, as there are some 16,000 registered churches this represents only a fraction of the total number who could be making a tidy additional income given that YourParkingSpace.co.uk estimates that over 85 per cent of churches have suitable parking spaces.

Many churches listed with YourParkingSpace.co.uk are located near city and town centres, where demand for parking spaces is traditionally high, and can be pre-booked on an hourly or daily basis.

Harrison Woods, managing director at YourParkingSpace.co.uk, said: “Churches offering their empty parking spaces makes perfect financial sense, you could almost describe it as ‘pray and display’.

“However, the extra income is just one benefit as a busy car park deters anti-social behaviour, while visitors could also be tempted to have a look around the church if it is allowed.”

For more information about YourParkingSpace.co.uk, and to discover thousands of empty parking spaces to pre-book, including at churches and on driveways, go to yourparkingspace.co.uk.