Catholic worshippers in the region are no longer able to take a full holy communion because of the continued threat of swine flu. The Catholic communion ceremony involves drinking wine from a chalice which is then passed to all participating members but this practice has been stopped by the parish of Cornwall amid fears that it could aid the spread of swine flu.

Christopher Budd, the Bishop of Plymouth, sent advice to all parishes within the diocese of Plymouth, including the parish of Cornwall, which oversees all the Catholic churches in the region. The advice is that communion wine should not be issued from the chalice and that Sacred Host (the wafer used to signify the body of Christ) should be distributed on the hand rather than the tongue.

While the information was issued only in an advisory capacity, it has been acted on by the parish of Cornwall.

Michael Ray, spokes-person for the Diocese of Plymouth, said: 'Worshippers are not being deprived. Although taking the wine and the sacred host gives a fuller expression of communion, participants can receive Christ fully under only one form.'

Church of England worshippers are not expected to follow suit, although this may change.