A UNIQUE covenant between two sets of churches has been signed in North Yorkshire - paving the way for greater co-operation.

The Archbishop of York, the Right Reverend David Hope, and the Reverend Dr Stuart Burgess, chairman of York and Hull Methodist district, met in Northallerton to sign the contract, the first of its kind in England.

It paves the way for ministers of both faiths to conduct services in each other's churches, within the Mowbray deanery of the Anglican Church and the Northallerton and Thirsk Methodist circuit. It covers 55 places of worship.

The Reverend Keith Phipps, superintendent of the Northallerton and Thirsk circuit, said the covenant was about working together.

"It is recognising our differences but celebrating our unity," he said. "We have more in common than that which divides."

The agreement will have the greatest impact on smaller rural churches.

"In the past, when we have held a united service, both a Methodist and Anglican representative was there," said Mr Phipps.

"Now there will only need to be one, which frees the other to be somewhere else.

"The purpose of the covenant is that we continue to grow together, sharing the richness and diversity of our traditions. The hope is it will benefit the rural community."