A CHURCH was the focus of much pride for members of the Durham and Yorkshire Scots Guards Association at the weekend.

The association had its regimental star blessed and installed on a plinth at a special ceremony in St Andrew's Church, Haughton-le-Skerne, Darlington.

The brass four-pointed star, which consists of the cross of St Andrew and the association's regimental thistle, was donated by retiring Scots Guards Captain Ernie Marchant, from Langley Park, near Durham.

Members of the association chose the church for the dedication ceremony because of its close links with the Scots Guards.

Last year, the Darlington branch of the association had a new standard dedicated in the church by vicar, the Reverend Dr David Kennedy, who is also an honorary member of the branch.

Branch secretary Peter Wheadon, a Scots Guard for nine years, said: "Rather than having the star lying around in some musty office, we decided to have it blessed and hanging in church.

"We consider it to be an appropriate place for it to be and in future years we will be attending services at the church and keeping in touch with it."

Mr Kennedy said: "It was a splendid ceremony - the church was packed.

"We also had a Scots piper here, some serving guards from the regiment, as well as the members of the association."