A flower festival at St Andrew's Church, Kildwick, at the weekend was a blooming success.

The event, on a weddings and baptisms theme, attracted a large number of visitors.

Guests included Bishop of Bradford the Right Rev David James, and his wife Gill.

Vicar the Rev Robin Figg said: "We had a marvellous weekend, full of laughter and fun. From the opening ceremony on the Friday evening, through the concert on Saturday, the Bishop's visit on Sunday and right up to the closing auction, the whole event was hugely enjoyable." Bishop David preached during the Sunday morning Festival Communion service, and was impressed by the beauty of the church and the displays.

Members of the congregation loaned their wedding dresses and baptismal gowns for the festival, and brought along photographs and other mementos to add to the displays.

Saturday evening's concert, entitled 'A Flowering of Home-Grown Talent', featured a varied programme of song, poetry, drama and dance.

The dancing was choreographed by nationally acclaimed dance teacher Cathy Medd, a member of the St Andrew's congregation.

She said: "I'm very proud of the girls. They didn't have much rehearsal time, but they were amazing."

On Monday afternoon, displays were auctioned off.

Mr Figg, who acted as auctioneer, said: "The whole event was very good-natured. The children joined in too, bidding in 10 pences for the smaller arrangements.

"I think my children in particular are probably going to be in pocket money deficit for the next six months!"

Also auctioned was a crib hand-made by Harry Tonkin, and an iced wedding cake made by Sue Hargreaves and Christine Laycock.

Mr Figg added: "We are very fortunate to have such a range of talent in our parish. Week-ends like this, apart from raising nearly £3,000 pounds for our building development fund, give us the opportunity to appreciate our friends and neighbours in a different way and have a huge amount of fun in the process."