A VICAR narrowly escaped a ducking yesterday when he launched his church's latest building appeal event.

Father Gary Nicholson tucked up his cassock to float 500 yellow plastic ducks in the River Gaunless, near the Bishop of Durham's home, Auckland Castle, to boost a building appeal for St James' Church, Coundon.

With every bird sold for £1, he needed a team of helpers to ensure none went astray on the stream, which was swelled by overnight rain.

Organiser Mary Goundrey said: "We all got wet but it was great fun. It finished a wonderful weekend at the church."

Since December 2002, more than £160,000 has been raised towards the £300,000 target to restore the church.

The roof and windows have been replaced and the building made watertight.

A second phase of fundraising called Under the Roof will pay for lavatories, disabled access and meeting and education areas.

On Saturday, supporters ran a stall in Coundon to sell tickets for the ducks before celebrating the church's patronal festival with a concert by Crook Salvation Army Band.