A COMMUNITY challenge which involved members from churches across Colne writing out Luke's Gospel has raised more than £800.

The sponsored verse writing was launched in February 2000 by the Colne Bible Society and the final leather bound gospel will be officially presented at St John's Methodist Church, in Albert Road, at 10am on Saturday, August 11.

People from across the world played a part in creating the gospel, which took more than 12 months to complete.

Marilyn Folley, secretary of the Colne Bible Society Action Group, said: "We set the challenge to raise money to further the work of the Bible Society. All the churches in Colne took part and everyone paid £1 to write a verse.

"People tended to write an odd verse at first and then come back and do some more. We have had input from as far as America and Germany because people with friends visiting have asked them to take part. It gives the work an international feel."

The Colne Gospel, which was written to mark the second Millennium of the Christian faith, will be presented by the Reverend Gay Pye and John Bisson, of the Bible Society.

It will then be on permanent display at Colne Library.