AS the lights of Christmas 2002 are dimmed, a tiny North Pennines community will carry on celebrating a milestone in its church's history.

For when all the razzmatazz, tinsel and illuminations of the festive season are finally put to rest, the "church on the hill" at Rookhope, in Weardale, County Durham, will still be bathed in light.

It will be seen for the first time in its 99-year history as a beacon for Christianity in three counties - Cumbria, Northumberland and Durham.

The memorable event is all down to the small group of Methodists and Anglicans, who signed an ecumenical agreement three years ago to share worship at one church.

"Although there's only about a dozen of us attending services, lighting up the church like this has been a tremendous thrill," said Betty Bowman, who has attended services ever since she moved to Rookhope 46 years ago.

"It not only acts as a beacon for Christians in a very isolated part of the North Pennines, but it also provides comfort for all of us in the village who attend services.

"It shows that Rookhope is still very much on the Christian map."

Money for the floodlights at St John the Evangelist's Church - on a hill just outside Rookhope - was raised through a Sunday school fund, and raffles and donations held in the village.

Along with the lights, a wooden tableau of the nativity, with figures of Mary and Joseph and the crib, were created by former Blue Circle worker Anthony Hogarth, whose hobby is carpentry.

These were painted by Gill Pearson, whose husband, Terry, is the church council's treasurer.

During heavy storms and blizzards, church services have been transferred to the warmth of the Pearsons' home in the village centre.

"It's been a great effort by the whole community and something we are very proud of," said Mrs Pearson

Now, although they may be cut off from their church by snowstorms, the hardy folk of Rookhope will still see it lighting up the night sky. As will fellow Christians for miles around.