The handwritten Embsay-with-Eastby Gospel of St Luke has been handed over.

It was presented to parish council vice-chairman Bryan Hume by MP Julian Smith at a ceremony in the village hall.

The beautifully bound gospel will be kept in the library. The idea for the gospel came from local vicar, the Rev Louise Taylor-Kenyon, and Methodist Church steward Glennis Hobbs as an appropriate way to mark the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible in 1611.

It was hoped many villagers would come forward to write out the verses. At the back is a list of everybody who contributed. Mr Smith wrote the opening verse.