STARTLED worshippers at a Teesside church looked on in amazement as their priest sprang into action.

The Reverend Alan Farish, demonstrated his athleticism during evening worship at All Saints' Parish Church, Preston-on-Tees.

The 42-year-old priest sprinted down the nave and launched himself from a springboard - landing safely in the chancel, the space in front of the altar.

For the 80-strong congregation it was a dramatic curtain-raiser to the vicar's sermon, which set the scene for a challenging mission to be launched next spring in the Eaglescliffe area of Teesside.

For two weeks during May, church members will be out in the community, carrying out repair jobs for the needy and undertaking a litter clearance project in the area.

Mr Farish, who has been at the church for two years, said: "I used the springboard as a visual aid to illustrate what I was talking about.

"Our mission at the church is part of a much bigger project in the Durham diocese, where the Archbishop's springboard team is going into parishes to train people in outreach work.