A CHURCH is organising a number of events to celebrate 150 years since it was first consecrated.

Members of St James' Parish Church, Arnside, have been teaming up with individuals and organisations from the village to do a different event each month to help raise money for its upkeep and community causes.

Alan Mitchell, who is helping organise the events, said: "The celebrations have been taking off and gaining momentum. I wrote to a number of organisations in the village asking them to take part and we have had a lot of response.

"People are constantly ringing up now offering to get involved or offering to donate money to help with the upkeep of the church. Only today somebody donated £150; a pound for each year.

"People like the building. Not everybody is Anglican but the building is a legacy for the village. It needs to be preserved for future generations."

This month's event will see children from Arnside and Storth primary schools do a six mile sponsored walk around some of the boundary of the ecclesiastical parish on May 14. Money raised will go towards the schools and their PTA organisations.

Around 140 children and parents will walk on the old railway along the coast to Storth school, before walking to the Fairy Steps at Beetham.

They will then walk back to Arnside, where there will be a barbecue in the church grounds.

The run of celebratory events started in March, with a Wednesday morning school church, attended by the Bishop of Penrith, the Venerable Robert Freeman.

Local talent got together to perform at a concert at the church in April, which included a ukulele group, nostalgia performances and Arnside Ladies group.

A number of events are already planned for later in the year, including an open garden in June and a service and flower displays in July to mark the actual anniversary of the church.