A TRADITIONAL service, which marks the 13th anniversary of an answered prayer, is to take place this weekend.

The annual service at St Andrew's Church, at Grey Mare Hill, near the border of Northumberland and County Durham, takes place this weekend - the one and only service of the year held in the chapel.

The service was started by Escombe vicar Keith Meadows, who paused at the ruined church 13 years ago.

He said a quiet prayer for a seriously ill friend who had just been told he would never walk again.

A few weeks later his friend, Dr Clive Inman, unexpectedly walked in while the vicar was performing a one-off sermon at the church.

Leading parishioner Lynn Copping took up the story.

She said: "He came to give a service, and while we were there Clive walked in the church in the middle of his sermon.

"He had also prayed that the church be restored and, unknown to him, we were working on it even as he made his prayer."

Ever since, Mr Meadows administered a service the first Monday of July every year until he died two years ago of multiple sclerosis. Now parishioners keep up the tradition.

The church will be decked out in flowers following the Parish of Shotley Low Quarter Flower Festival, held today and tomorrow, as part of the parish's millennium celebration.

The flower festival will also be held at St John's Church, at Snods Edge and St Philip and St James's Church, Whittonstall.