Cathedrals are doing better than churches because they don't "bang on" about God, Sir Simon Jenkins has suggested.

The author, who was discussing his new book on England's churches at the Hay Festival, said cathedrals were responding to the public's desire for a more spiritual and less religious experience.

Considering the popularity of Cathedrals among the public he said, "there's something about cathedrals that draws you in which is not being drawn into parish churches.

“One or two sociologists have explained it, one said if you go to a cathedral now it's anonymous. It's pillar worship, people can't see you reading.

"No one shakes you by the hand, no one says peace be upon you. I asked a canon once why cathedrals are doing so well, he said 'unlike churches we don't bang on about God'. Which is very odd but also I sense rather true."