A church organist was set to attempt a musical marathon on June 27, 2008, by playing more than 600 hymns without a rest.

Kath Jones had been the organist at All Saints Church, in East Cowton, North Yorkshire, for 24 years in 2008.

Ms Jones, from Osmotherley, near Northallerton, estimated that the feat of playing excerpts from all 596 hymns in Anglican Hymns Old and New, as well as 14 more modern hymns, would take about six hours.

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The event was being held at the same time as one of the church's regular continental breakfast mornings, when visitors could dine on croissants, jam and cheese in return for a donation.

Ms Jones, a former headteacher at Dodmire Junior School, in Darlington, said: "I have been playing the piano since I was a child, and I really enjoy it. It is a very different technique playing the organ, and it is a lot of fun to play on the church's instrument, which dates back to 1872."

Ms Jones, whose favourite hymn is I the Lord of the Sea, said: "I have done sponsored piano-playing before, but never anything like this. I am very much looking forward to it."

Weighing ten tonnes and spanning 22 metres, a new artwork was unveiled outside a college on June 26, 2008.

The brightly coloured steel structure at Middlesbrough College, titled Kandi Sky, was Pierre Diamantopoulo's abstract representation of a learning curve.

It featured shapes and figures balancing on six pillars almost 11 metres above the ground at the college's west entrance.

Principal John Hogg said: "We are delighted to be contributing to the transformation that is taking place at Middlehaven.

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"The installation of this inspiring sculpture marks a significant stage for us in the transformation, not only of the landscape, but also the aspirations of local people."

The £72,434 cost of the sculpture was met by the regional branch of the Arts Council.

Council spokesman Matthew Jarratt said: "Middlehaven has demonstrated that bold design is a key ingredient in regeneration."