A METHODIST church celebrated 100 years of worship with a free concert by a group of African orphans last night.

Elvet Methodist Church, in Durham, is marking its centenary on Tuesday, November 4.

Last night's concert was one of a series of events to commemorate the anniversary.

The African Children's Choir has 26 members, all aged from five to 12.

The children, from orphanages in Rwanda and Gambia, are touring Britain.

Pat Johnson, a church member who helped organise the concert, said: "The children represent thousands in Africa who have been affected by war, famine and Aids."

The choir will perform their last concert in the region at the City Church, in Newcastle, on Saturday, November 22, at 7.30pm.

Many of the children are in orphanages because parents are unable to raise them.

One of the singers, Nehimiah Ndahimana, ten, lost his father in the Rwandan genocide. His mother could not care for him and he was placed in the orphanage.

Tina Sipp, the tour organiser, said: "The children are from extreme cases of poverty."

The choir is raising funds through donations at its concerts, which will be put towards educating children in their home countries.

Other events planned for the centenary include a Christmas fair at Elvet Methodist Church on November 29, from 10am until 12.30pm.

The proceeds will go to the Pavement Club in Calcutta, a group dedicated to the education of destitute children in the Indian city.