A COMMEMORATIVE bench has helped mark the 150th anniversary of a local parish.

The Our Lady and St. Cuthbert’s parish in Prudhoe is celebrating the 150th year of its mission in the town.

The parish, established in 1870 by the Liddell family, has formed an integral part of the Prudhoe community and continues to serve locals. The church began as a chapel and was erected in 1870 in the grounds of Prudhoe Hall. In 1899 the Liddells sold Prudhoe Hall and in 1905 the Church was dismantled and rebuilt at its present site on Highfield Lane.

Martin Gray, headteacher at St Matthew's Catholic Primary School, said: "The commemorative bench, created by Peter Curry, celebrates the partnership between the school and parish and will hopefully remain in place for the next 150 years of the parish’s history.

"The parish have very strong connections with the nearby St. Matthew’s Catholic Primary School, and the school were keen to help the parish to celebrate this significant milestone."

Children participated in activities to celebrate the anniversary and the celebration culminated in the unveiling of a beautiful new bench in the church grounds donated by the school.

Schoolchildren have also been getting into the Christmas spirit by hosting their own virtual advent calendar.

So far, behind the doors of the calendar, the children have sung, signed, danced and and entertained their viewers all over the community. The virtual advent calendar can be seen through the school's Facebook page.