FARMYARD animals will be among the congregation at a Harvest Festival service in North Yorkshire this evening.

Regulars at St Patrick's Church at Patrick Brompton have decided to take the annual celebration out into the countryside this year and will gather at Newton Grange Farm at 7.30pm.

Canon Leslie Morley will give a sermon surrounded by farmyard machinery while the congregation perch on straw bales.

The service was inspired by Newton Grange Farm owner, Bernard Liddle.

''It is very appropriate to be thanking God for the harvest in the place where the work is done,'' said vicar of Patrick Brompton, the Reverend David Christie, who will lead the celebrations.