VISITORS will be able to climb to the tower roof to take photos of the town, spot their own houses and admire the view when an east Cleveland church opens its doors on Sunday.

On a clear day, the view from the top of St. Mark's Church Tower at Marske stretches to Huntcliff, past Skelton and New Marske and right round to Teesmouth and County Durham.

The climb involves a stone spiral staircase, a short vertical steel ladder and two wooden staircases before emerging on the tower roof. The roof is quite safe with a 5ft high parapet. Visitors should wear jeans and trainers. Flip-flops and sandals are unsafe and will not be permitted to climb the steel ladder.

A spokesman said: "On the way up, visitors pass through bell-ringers' room, the bell chamber and the clock chamber where there will be stewards to explain how things work and visitors are welcome to take photographs. The roof is an excellent viewpoint to take a 360 degree panorama view of the town.

"Visitors who don't wish to climb to the top, can pause at the stop of the spiral staircase and see the bell-ringers' room where there will be a continuous slide show about bellringing and ringers who can explain what they do."

Afternoon tea will be served on the church lawns throughout the afternoon. The tower will be open from 2pm - 4pm. Admission is free but donations to the church will be much appreciated.