AFTER a year of negotiations the church parishes of Coatham and Dormanstown in Redcar have amalgamated.

The new Parish of Coatham and Dormanstown will maintain two parish churches; Christ Church at Coatham and All Saints at Dormanstown.

Vicar John Richardson will live at Coatham and the Dormanstown Vicarage will be sold.

A service to mark the beginning of this new parish is to be held at Christ Church, Coatham, on Sunday, February 2 at 6pm.

This will be a special candlelit service celebrating the feast of Candlemass and will be followed by refreshments in the Church Hall.

All will be welcome.