A LARGE tepee was the unusual venue for a fundraising event in aid of two small local churches.

St Leonard's in Farlington and St. Lawrence at Flaxton, joined together to host an evening of food and festivities for 170 supporters.

Guests, including the new Bishop of Selby, Right Reverend John Thomson with his wife Susan, and MP Anne McIntosh, were treated to a four course dinner featuring local produce cooked by a team of volunteers.

Between courses Flaxton village choir sang a medley of songs and an auction of gifts conducted by Philip Place raised almost £2,000. Before leaving guests were treated to a firework display.

Organiser Margaret Singleton, who is churchwarden at Farlington, said they were desperately in need of money to keep the rural churches open.

'At our church we need to install new heating and lighting," she added.

"We couldn't have raised this money without the generous offer of the tepee that had been used the previous day for the wedding reception of Lucy and James Knock, the hard work of many volunteers in cooking and serving food, and all who donated to the auction

and raffle."

She said: "It was a wonderful atmosphere in the tepee and everyone was so generous."