A high flying community is marking Christmas on a wing and a prayer with a novel challenge.

Bishop James Bell launched the new Angelsabout trail in Bedale, encouraging children and adults to find the 54 angels dotted around the town as part of a major celebration for Christmas.

They’re the brainchild of the Rector of Bedale, Rev Ian Robinson. He said: “There are angels springing up all around Bedale and the surrounding villages. This is part of a collaboration between the churches, schools, town council and businesses to involve the whole of the community in an event to attract visitors to the town and to help people from the locality to recognise the beauty and quality of the town and to engage afresh with the Christian Christmas narrative.

“Angels foretold the birth of Christ and in Bedale they are also pointing the way to the joyous good news that will be celebrated on Christmas Day. “

Many local shops and businesses have created their own artistic angels, displayed with short verses from the bible. Rev Robinson said the aim was to create as many angels as possible in as many locations as possible which they had done with the help of the Carnell family. Each child completing the trail will be given a small gift with £100 in vouchers for the winners, and other prizes which will be judged on December 20.

A writing competition is also being held. More information as well as entry forms are available on the website http://www.angelsabout.uk the angels about facebook page, twitter feed and through local leaflets and posters.