THE Friends of Sedgefield St Edmund's Church reported a successful year of fundraising at their annual meeting.

The highlight of the fundraising activities undertaken by the Friends was an abseil down the church tower.

Special thanks were extended to the principal money raiser, Ann Stephenson, who raised just over £600.

Dr Joyce Jordan, who was retiring as secretary after five years in accordance with the group's rules, reported a year full of activities.

She said that repairs and maintenance had been concentrated on renovating and renewing plaster work.

The Friends have promised to help with some of the cost of providing wheelchair access and disabled lavatory facilities.

The church's rector, the Reverend Martin King, expressed his appreciation for the work of the group.