THE Bishop of Ripon James Bell visited Horton in Ribblesdale at the same time as Storm Angus.

And although the gale force winds meant a planned trying out of the village school's new climbing frame had to be cancelled, he did enjoy a tour inside the classrooms looking at the children's work.

Bishop James, with the Rev Stephen Dawson, priest in charge of Langcliffe with Stainforth and Horton, visited Horton School before moving on to St Peter's, Stainforth, to view its new kitchen and toilet, completed in time for Remembrance Sunday.

They enjoyed lunch with the schoolchildren before being given a tour by year six students, Daisy Pilkington and Charlotte Wilson.

“Bishop James asked to visit Horton School and the children welcomed him in their usual friendly and enthusiastic way," said Mr Dawson.

"We had hoped to have a go on the new climbing frame but the fresh gale force wind gave us more time to look at the young people’s work with them. "

He added: "At Stainforth the church was warm and bright after the improvements that will enable us to put on events for the community to enjoy. Before Remembrance Sunday we had to run across the road to the national park toilets, not exactly a safe journey for young or old even without Storm Angus."