A SCHEME to sign up ambassadors for Ripon Cathedral has already attracted more than 50 people.

The ambassadors are being signed up by the Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend John Metheun, in a bid to strengthen links between parishes and the cathedral.

Dean Metheun wants each parish in the Ripon and Leeds Diocese to nominate two people to become ambassadors, and so far 35 parishes have taken up the challenge.

The ambassadors agreed to take on the role during a reception at the cathedral, during which they were taken on a detailed tour of the building, included some sections normally out of bounds to the public.

Now Dean Metheun wants more parishes to join the project and has asked church council secretaries to put forward more ambassadors.

The dean said: "Ambassadors will receive all the information on events and services in the cathedral to pass on to their congregation - and they will also be the voices of the cathedral in the parishes."

A second reception for potential ambassadors is being held on Thursday, April 29, starting with choral evensong at 5.30pm.

Dean Metheun will then lead a tour of the cathedral and outline the ambassador scheme, as well as ways in which it can work for the benefit of parishes and the cathedral.