The church can unwittingly add to the problem because we have segregated schools

Father Phil Sumner

"I will be there indefinitely, so it could be another 25 years."

The priest helped set up forums for police to talk to residents who were concerned about stop-and-search powers in Moss side, where shooting incidents attracted national attention.

Sub-machine guns

He said: "There are problems with guns but it is not the fashion accessory that the press make out.

"I promoted a gun-control campaign in Moss side and Hulme the day before Dunblane, which focused attention on handguns.

"But we do have reactivated sub-machine guns on our streets, that is still a problem."

As well as conducting funerals for people who had been shot, Father Sumner helped set up Firmstart Manchester, a company which attracts funding to regenerate the area.

Hulme has seen great change over 25 years

"I have been accepted within the black aswell as white community... we employed 350 people from the black community on a church work scheme," he said.

"We are developing 30 more small workspace units for people to use in self-employment, and we already have another 30."

The priest, who is a governor of primary and secondary schools, acknowledges that religion can be just as divisive as it is helpful.

He said: "I might be lucky and set some things up, but it can only be done by working alongside other people in the market place.

"I use work schemes, public meetings, I go the leisure centre regularly, I look for the marketplaces where people meet and talk and gossip, and the church is just one of those marketplaces."

Education 'failing'

"The church can unwittingly add to the problem because we have segregated schools, which is a difficulty.

"But even in that system you can nurture race issues, by studying history and geography in a way that celebrates race and does not stereotype it.

"The education system is failing the black child in particular.

"In some ways there are many differences [between Moss side and Oldham] obviously... and part of the reason I can stand up and say things here [Moss side] is that I have been here for so long."