A CHURCH is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its consecration with a series of events this weekend.

St Aiden's Church, in Annfield Plain, near Stanley, will be marking the event with a wine and cheese party at 7pm on Friday.

A coffee morning, along with bric-a-brac and a cake stall, will be held from 10am on Saturday. Churches from throughout the area have helped decorate St Aiden's, which will remain open until 5.30pm.

After the Sunday service, the church will again be open from 1pm to 5pm. A special service of thanksgiving, attended by the Bishop of Jarrow, the Reverend John Pritchard, will be held at 7.30pm. A pie and peas supper will be held in the church room on Monday.

All money will go to repair dry rot in the Lady Chapel, woodworm in the clergy vestry and replace the heating system.

Meanwhile, the Burnopfield Gospel Fellowship is marking its 56th anniversary services on Saturday and Sunday.

The anniversary is in the form of a Bible Convention, supported by many churches from different denominations.

The speaker at the meetings will be Rob Whittaker, principal at Capernwray Bible School, Lancashire