A SERVICE of unity for churches of all denomination was held in Studley last night.

Parishioners were invited to the special service at the church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

It included the first Eucharist in the Roman Catholic rite to be celebrated in the church since the Reformation in 1558 and was conducted by Father Gerry Hughes.

Studley vicar, the Rev Richard Deimel, explained: "Such a service would have been illegal for centuries in Church of England churches - at the time there was violence between churches.

"We remember this very much around the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot.

"This special service was a sign of healing in Studley between the churches.

"Welcome and apologies were also given to Studley Baptists and Methodists, who were declared outlaws too during part of the history of Studley churches."

He added: "We are one Christian family for Studley, although we worship in different ways. The old parish church was a sign of oppression for centuries. We wanted to say sorry for that, put history behind us and build a new future of faith for the village.

"This was a very special service, with children from the Anglican and Catholic schools sitting and singing together."

The event was held as part of the 900th anniversary of Studley parish church.