A RYEDALE church celebrated its 40th anniversary and gift weekend with a series of events.

St Leonard and St Mary’s RC Church, Malton, was gifted to the Roman Catholic community by the Anglican Diocese of York 40 years ago.

Parish priest Father Tim Bywater said that although there were those in the country who predicted the Roman Catholic church was facing extinction, he guaranteed they would still be worshipping at the church in another 40 years’ time.

After Mass on Saturday, parishioners enjoyed a concert from the Ryedale-based Chanticler Singers as well as refreshments in the parish community centre.

After Mass on Sunday, a threecourse lunch was provided at St Mary’s RC Primary School.

The events coincided with the church’s annual gift weekend, where parishioners donate money towards church funds which will be needed in the coming year to update the lighting and carry out repairs on the stonework inside the tower.

The landmark clock in the tower also scored a first this weekend.

New mechanisms replaced the old workings which had broken down, and it meant that the clock automatically adjusted to winter time on Saturday night.