A village church that was once threatened with closure reopened on Christmas Day after a two-year renovation scheme.

The church, which serves the remote village of Ravenscar on the cliff top, near Scarborough, has undergone a £200,000 development scheme.

The church had been threatened with closure some years ago because of the amount of money needed to restore it and falling congregation numbers.

But, a surprise multi-thousand pound legacy from local businesswoman and holiday home operator, Ingrid Flute, ensured the work could be carried out.

Frank James, the organist, said there had been extensive work and the church, which serves a 150 population, would also become a multi-community function centre.