A Methodist chapel is preparing to mark its 250th anniversary with a summer of events and celebrations.

Osmotherley Methodist Chapel dates from 1754.

It was set up by the founder of Methodism, John Wesley, who had close ties to the village.

He visited Osmotherley 18 times because of a close friendship with one of the villagers.

Soon after his initial visits, a Methodist society was formed. The original society book, which dates from 1750, is still in existence. Four years later the chapel was built.

It was used as a Methodist chapel without interruption until 1865.

The first event to celebrate the anniversary will take place tomorrow with a service at the chapel at 6.30pm.

It will be led by the Reverend Stuart Burgess, who is chairman of the Methodist York and Hull District.

The chapel's minister, the Reverend Rachel Parkinson, said she was expecting a good attendance for the service, and that it would be a special occasion.

"It will be a small-scale celebration, but something does not have to be massive to still mean a lot," she said.

"It is especially significant because Stuart Burgess is retiring this year and it is probably going to be his last service in this circuit."

Ms Parkinson said that Osmotherley Methodist Chapel was one of the oldest in the world.

She said: "We haven't been in continuous use because there was a time in history when we moved out of the little chapel to a larger premises, but the chapel has always been in Methodist hands."

The culmination of the celebrations will be on August 11 when Osmotherley holds its annual ecumenical pilgrimage to the Lady Chapel, at Mount Grace Priory.

John Wesley impersonator Mark Topping will attend the church to re-enact his original visits.