A PRIVATE Eye cartoonist is set to stage a version of A Christmas Carol using a Victorian photographic projection system.

Mike Barfield said he hoped to raise funds for urgent renovation work at St Peter's Church, in Helperby, North Yorkshire, with lantern slide productions of the Charles Dickens story and George Sims' monologue Christmas Day In The Workhouse.

In September, the church launched a £50,000 fundraising drive after inspectors found health and safety issues and its insurer gave the congregation four months to rewire the building.

Church leaders said while the initial £14,000 had been raised to keep the grade II listed property open, they were pressing ahead with a drive to raise the remaining funds to restore and improve the building.

Mr Barfield, who performed a humourous sell-out show about the Tour de France earlier this year, said he would offer a portion of gruel to those attending.

He will be joined in the production by university cinema lecturer Simon Popple, Paul Considine as Marley's ghost and musicians Judith Laity, Jake Barfield, Emily Berridge and Peter Quinn.

He said: "The church is part of this village's heritage.

"People who had been born, grown up and lived here all their lives should have an opportunity to marry and get buried there if they wish."

The show will be staged at the church tomorrow (Saturday, December 20), at 4pm.

Tickets, costing £8 for adults and free for children, are available on the door.