A 24-hour hymnathon is being held this weekend to celebrate the 150th anniversary of All Saints Church in Helmsley.

The hymnathon runs from 10am to 10am on Saturday, June 16 to Sunday, June 17.

Reverend Tim Robinson said: “Our hymnathon in aid of Helmsley Primary School, Ryedale School and Yorkshire Air Ambulance and celebrates the 150th year anniversary of the rebuilding of All Saints Church, Helmsley.

“This event allows us to give something back in thanksgiving for the long history of worship on this site in the centre of Helmsley stretching back at least to 1129AD.

Rev Robinson added: “We hope that people will come and sing with us at some point during the 24 hours, and whether you have been with us for Sunday worship or weddings, baptisms and funerals; Remembrance, Harvest, Christmas and Easter you will be very welcome. If you have never been inside Helmsley Church come and see it. It is a beautiful church.”

The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu will be joining the celebrations at 10.30am on Sunday, June 17 and preaching at the Songs of Praise.

“The hymns are very well known and we hope you will come and hear and meet him,” Rev Robinson said.

The hymnathon will include a public open sing from 10am to 10.30am on Saturday and the top 15 hymns that have been voted for in church and social media from 3pm to 4pm.

Another open sing wll be held from 10pm to 11pm.

On Sunday participants will move out into the church yard for an outdoor sing-along from 7.45am to 8.45am.

Helmsley Primary School pupils are singing between 2.30pm and 3pm. Between all these times the church is open for anyone to come in, listen, request, join in.