The visitor attractions at Luss Church are bringing in an estimated £5 million to the area's economy every year.

And on one day during the summer, a total of 2,270 people were recorded visiting the church - emphasising that 'faith tourism' is becoming big business for the Scottish tourist industry.

The statistics emerged when the new visitor centre at the church was officially opened by Dr Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland.

Dr Cantlay, who is also convener of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, opened the centre by paying tribute to the immense amount of work done by the church and the Luss community to promote the 1,500th anniversary of St Kessog bringing Christianity to the shores of Loch Lomond.

Speaking about the impact of faith tourism , he said: "An estimated 1.5 million visitors to Scotland will take part in some form of worship. And that number is rising dramatically - faith tourism is up 10 per cent year on year. It's big business." Addressing a gathering of parishioners and villagers, Dr Cantlay said the attractions at Luss church were a classic example of a church and community working together to promote a special and unique feature, which in turn offered visitors a memorable holiday experience.

It wasn't about attracting visitors just once, he said, but creating a relationship with them so that they return again and again. Luss Church's ability to reach out to people through its website and its on-line wedding broadcasts was helping enormously to create that relationship, he said.

"If it works well for Scotland's largest industry (tourism) and the Kirk, then that's a great thing." Provost Billy Petrie said: "The attractions here at Luss Church contribute no less than £5 million to the area's economy. The church is open 365 days a year and in one summer day 2,270 visitors were recorded.

"Even in the depths of winter dozens of people visit the church. Weddings average 153 every year and the Sunday service is broadcast to 55 countries.

"In addition, local residents do a huge amount of work for the church, by volunteering for the visitors' centre and by working on various projects around the Glebe.

"This is a remarkable achievement - no other church in Scotland can claim that record." The Provost said that under the leadership of minister, the Rev Dr Dane Sherrard, the church community at Luss had doubled, and Arrochar Church had been spared from demolition to become an integral part of worship within the two communities.

He pointed out that tourism was Argyll and Bute's biggest industry, and he concluded: "On behalf of Argyll and Bute Council I wish to thank Dr Sherrard and the church community for making Luss the jewel in the crown of tourism in Argyll and Bute."