A CHURCH in Bedale has linked up with the Dales Festival of Food and Drink in Leyburn this weekend.

Local organisations and groups were invited to be part of the event on Saturday, Sunday and Monday by voting for their favourite hymns and deciding how best they could be illustrated through flowers, art and objects.

Every available space has been filled for the hymn festival in St Gregory's Church, where groups involved include the chamber of trade and tourism, Brownies, a GP practice, primary schools, a residential home and a bowling society.

There will be 14 displays illustrating old and modern hymns and on Sunday, at 6.30pm, there will be a service.

The church will be open from 10am to 4pm daily and a three-day craft and gift fair will be held in the Chantry Hall.