A THANKFUL community offered praise and gratitude to the emergency services with a Service of Thanksgiving.

Priest in Charge of St Bees Priory, Becky Gibbs invited staff and volunteers of Copeland's emergency services to the service on Sunday.

Choral Evensong and thanksgiving filled the venue, along with parishioners and members from St Bees RNLI, Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team, Wasdale Mountain Rescue, Cumbria Police, Community Support Officers, Cumbria Fire and Rescue, First Responders, Blood Bikes and St Johns Ambulance.

St Bees Operations Manager, Dick Beddows and a member of WMR were interviewed during the service, describing their work and what motivates them to take part.

Representatives from Cumbria Police and Arlecdon and District First Responders read the lessons, followed by psalms and anthems, beautifully sung by the St Bees Priory Church choir.

Hymns including Abide With Me and Eternal Father Strong to Save were also sang.

The congregation took the opportunity to meet various members of the emergency services, and were treated to a buffet supplied by St Bees Priory.

Donations were made to a retiring collection for the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, and following the success of the service, it is hoped by all to become an annual event.