STUDLEY Parish Church celebrated a unique weekend in its history when the Bishop of Coventry consecrated the village's new churchyard extension.

The Rt Rev Colin Bennetts was joined by members of the parish council and other villagers as he consecrated the land, which will be put to use immediately.

The land, to the south of the current cemetery, was donated to the parish council in 1998 by the late Stephen Boler, who owned the Spernal estate.

The church choir led the bishop and congregation to each corner of the land as part of the ceremony on Sunday morning.

The church's Rev Richard Deimel said the morning had been a particularly pleasant one as the bishop also officially launched the church's 900th anniversary appeal.

He also spoke about the recent Asian tsunami disaster.

Mr Deimel said: "The bishop spoke about what the tsunami means for Christians and our faith. It was a very powerful and moving address."

Although the appeal was officially launched at the weekend, the church is already half way to its £90,000 target.

The money will be used for an extension to provide new cloakrooms, toilets and a heating system in the medieval church. Some of that cash was recently donated to the international aid effort in Asia.

Anyone wishing to donate to the church appeal can call Mr Deimel on 852830.