PARISHIONERS of a medieval church came together to celebrate the opening of its new extension on Saturday.

St Helen’s Church, in St Helen Auckland, near Bishop Auckland, was built in about 1170 and was added to in the 13th and 16th centuries.

Members of the present day congregation unveiled its latest addition - a community hub which is “open for all”, called the Ark, during a special service after a fundraising team raised £350,000 for the project.

The new extension provides the Parochial Church Council-run hub with a meeting room, toilet facilities and refreshment facilities.

And their hard work paid off as the new facility was officially unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant of Durham, Sue Snowden.

Mrs Snowden was joined by MP for Bishop Auckland, Helen Goodman, as well as Father Robert McTeer and Bishop Glyn Webster and the fundraising team.

Speaking at the event she said: "The Ark - what a wonderful name. We have something very special to celebrate."

She added: "The building is an imaginative project that's going to benefit a lot of people. It's a wonderful achievement and a privilege and pleasure to come along to share it with you and have the public acknowledge all your hard work."

Fr McTeer said it had been a "magnificent team effort".