AN auction of promises organised by the churches of Hutton Rudby had a surprise guest among its vendors.

Sir Rex Hunt, the former governor of the Falkland Islands, donated a copy of the book The History of the Falkland Islands, for which he wrote the foreword. He later signed the book for the winning bidder. Sir Rex is the grandfather of one of the girls who attends the village chapel, for which the event raised almost £3,500. More than £1,000 was also raised for the Butterwick Hospice.

Most of the money will help build a two-room extension at the chapel, including a computer room, to provide facilities for young people and community groups.

Chapel steward Judith Sibley said: "We are more than pleased with the amount we raised. It exceeded our expectations for a church event and we had a really good night."

Among the promises on offer were the use of a Scottish lodge and a holiday cottage in Keswick, donated by churchgoers.

A group of young people also took up youth leader Ken Brown's promise of a trip in the North York Moors. They will spend the night in a cave before cooking their own breakfast on an open fire.