VILLAGERS secured a coup by obtaining the services of an internationally famous choir to perform a fundraising concert for their church.

But such was the popularity of the acclaimed Gonville and Caius College Choir from Cambridge University that organisers were forced to switch the event to a neighbouring church.

Residents at North Stainley, near Ripon, soon realised that St Mary's Church, which holds about 100 people, would be too small.

They decided to stage the event in neighbouring St. Nicholas's Church at West Tanfield, where almost 200 people crowded in to hear the choir.

Organiser Cilla Kealy secured the services of the choir thanks to her friendship with a local family.

Head of the choir is Clara Green, who comes from Markington, near Ripon and whose brother Adam sang in Ripon Cathedral Choir.

Clara, an alto, persuaded her colleagues to perform the concert at North Stainley as part of a three-stop tour of the region.

Also in the choir was soprano Elizabeth Morgan from the Helmsley area.

"We were particularly pleased to welcome such distinguished singers to the area," said Mrs Kealy

"The choir tours extensively in Europe as well as America and have television and radio appearances to their credit."

The choir helped to raise about £2,000 towards the running costs of St Mary's.

In May churches in the area will welcome a new rector, the Reverend Mark Beresford-Peirse, currently Vicar of Pannal, near Harrogate.