A CATHOLIC church faced with a £150,000 bill for roof repairs has received a surprise legacy from a priest's housekeeper.

Nellie Tobin, who was known as Auntie Nellie to the congregation of St Joseph's Church, Pickering, North Yorkshire, died three years ago at the age of 100.

Parish priest Father Bill East discovered that she left £100,000 to St Joseph's, which will pay for the majority of the repairs to the church roof.

Nellie moved to Pickering from Leeds in 1914 as a 16-year-old housekeeper to the church's first priest, Father Henry Bryan.

When Father Bryan died in 1940, he left Nellie a legacy and the interest provided her income.

Father East said: "We are delighted and very grateful that it appears the church roof will benefit from her will. Unfortunately, Nellie died shortly before I moved to St Joseph's but she was held in very high regard and was much loved by many people in Pickering."

Events are being planned to mark the centenary of the church in 2004, but there is still a large shortfall in the amount needed for the roof repairs.

Father East said: "Most of it will have to come from the generosity of our congregation and, hopefully, the people of Pickering but I'm sure we shall raise the money because the town is very generous."

Anyone able to help the appeal is asked to ring Father East on (01751) 472727.