FIFTY years of memories, anecdotes and church history are contained in a book launched on Tuesday - but that is only half the story.

A Century of Service, Part Two 1947-2000, reflects the summer-long exhibition at St Cuthbert's Church in Darlington market place in 2002 and covers the incumbencies of five vicars. It includes many of the documents, photographs and personal contributions which featured in the exhibition.

A previous book followed the earlier exhibition, covering the first half of the twentieth century.

The idea of A Century of Service arose when there were plans to mark the millennium, but covering the whole of the church's 1,000-year history was impossible in the time available. The result was not one, but two, exhibitions, as even 100 years produced too much material for a single event.

Parishioners gathered to share and record their memories, old records were dusted off and treasured photographs and press cuttings produced for both exhibitions, which were collated and staged under the leadership of Joan Gilmore and Ann Ducker.

The first exhibition, staged in 2001, was supported by Tomorrow's History and the second by Awards for All.

Copies of the first book are still available from the church and both books may be had in return for a donation towards the deficit on printing costs.

They will also be on sale at a flower festival planned for the church in September.