A LEADING cathedral organist is to give a village church recital to raise money to repair its roof.

Kris Thomsett, assistant director of music at Newcastle Cathedral and former organ scholar at both Norwich Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral, is to perform a concert at St Cuthbert’s Church, in Shotley Bridge on Wednesday, July 5 at 7.30pm.

The Grade II-listed church, designed by the celebrated architect John Dobson and opened in 1850, is staging a series of concerts to restore its roof.

Mr Thomsett will perform on the church’s organ, built in 1850 by Nicholson and Newbegin of Newcastle.

Regular church organist Bill Hudson said: “I’m sure that Kris Thomsett will do full justice to the instrument which has just been tuned.”

Tickets, price £5, are available at the door and light refreshments will be served.