A SPECIAL church service to help raise vital funds recently took place in one of West Devon's most picturesque villages.
The congregation of St Mary's church in Exbourne were treated to a 'wonderful' Patronal service on September 7.
A jam-packed service, with a full fanfare of music followed by a buffet lunch in the village hall, helped to raise nearly £800 for church funds.
The Rev Ruth Hansford, assisted by Dr Michael Winter, officiated the service.
Director of music, Pauline Savage, conducted the St Mary's choir who were accompanied by Marjorie Cleverdon on the organ and Angus Thompson and Nigel Letheren on brass.
Soloist Tim Coulson-Smith sang the cantor in the Peruvian Gloria, while Rebecca Wagstaff, on flute, and Elsa Hariades, on clarinet, accompanied the choir during the Holy Communion anthems.
The address was provided by the Rev Canon Celia Thomson from Gloucester Cathedral and the service concluded with the trumpet voluntary, the Prince of Denmark's March.
St Mary's Parochial Church Council would like to extend their thanks to all who participated in the service as well as those who put on the buffet lunch.