A true labour of love

It was a labour of love when Mary Bailey embroidered a new altar cloth for St Matthew's Church Harlaston, near Lichfield.

Villagers gave the money for the cloth to mark the Golden Wedding anniversary of Percy and Winnie Wallis, and gathered in the church to dedicate it last night.

Mr and Mrs Wallis, who live next to the church, celebrated 50 years together last year, and asked people to give to the church, instead of buying them presents.

Mrs Bailey (pictured) of Gorstey Lea, Burntwood, spent a year embroidering the cloth.

"I only do it as a hobby, but I love ecclesiastical embroidery," she said.

She was asked to do it by St. Matthew's vicar, the Rev John Walters, who knew of her hobby from when he was a vicar of Christ Church, Burntwood.