THREE years of painstaking work by embroiderers at Richmond parish church has resulted in new vestments and altar cloths.

The set was designed as a gift to St Mary's Church from the congregation to mark the dawn of the new millennium.

Church member Ann McDonald designed the items and helped a band of 12 embroiderers to complete the project.

The items were first seen when the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds wore the vestments at the patronal festival on Sunday.

Ms McDonald, who teaches embroidery in Richmond, said the design incorporated the architectural shapes and colours of the church's great east window.

"I felt the arches represented windows or doors on to the future," she said. "The rising sun represents the dawn of the new millennium, as well as the Son of Righteousness."

She has designed vestments and altar cloths at Great Smeaton and Eryholme churches, as well as a number of church kneelers. The embroiderers met weekly to work on the task, which included an altar frontal, pulpit fall, chalice cover and cloths, and three different vestments worn by those officiating at services.

Ms McDonald said the group's next project was to restore a set of 100-year-old altar frontals owned by the church.

The rector, the Rev Richard Cooper, said the vestments and cloths, dedicated during Sunday's service, were a stunning achievement.

He said: "It is a magnificent achievement and will stand for generations as a highly significant contribution to the life and worship of Richmond parish church."

The cloths and vestments will be used on special occasions.