A CHURCH in a Chester suburb has delivered more than 100 home-made afternoon teas to people in the area.

Members of All Saints' Church in Hoole were behind the surprise deliveries.

Due to the coronavirus lockdown, the Hoole Road church's usual programme of activities has been put on hold and many of those who regularly attend the All Saints' cinema afternoons or Costa holiday events are currently shielded or isolated.

A team of 19 from the church developed the idea of providing an Afternoon Tea doorstep delivery as an unexpected treat - and a reminder that those behind closed doors hadn't been forgotten.

Each recyclable parcel contained a selection of home-baked cakes, a scone with butter and jam, and a selection of finger sandwiches. Paula Warren, who made 150 shortbreads as part of the scheme, also helped to box and wrap the 140 gift parcels.

She said: "It was a massive team effort; lots of people made cakes and 16 loaves of bread were buttered for the sandwiches.

"There were also many volunteers who delivered the teas to people's doors. We've had lots of lovely comments about it.

"My favourite came from a woman who had run out of bread for a sandwich; she'd gone to the local shop but couldn't get a loaf and, then - hey presto - a whole afternoon tea arrived. She said "someone was watching over me." Yes, He certainly was!"

All Saints has also been helping to recruit and co-ordinate additional volunteers during the current crisis.

Many from the community have come forward to help those who have been in touch requesting support.

The church collects for West Cheshire Food Bank and is part of Crossroads Community Hub providing emergency food parcels.

The 10.45am Sunday morning service is live streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/allsaintshoole/ - or by searching Facebook for All Saints Church, Hoole.

The service is followed by coffee and chat on Zoom. To find out more, or if you need help in Hoole at this time, contact Christina Beveridge on 01244 345649 (centre@allsaints.church).