CHINESE HERITAGE: Revd Eileen Harrop speaking during the first service to be held at St Mary’s Church in Gainford last week
CHINESE HERITAGE: Revd Eileen Harrop speaking during the first service to be held at St Mary’s Church in Gainford last week

A DALE vicar has turned to super-long chopsticks to ensure social distancing measures are maintained during holy communion.

Services returned with a difference to St Mary’s Church, in Gainford, on Sunday with vicar Revd Eileen Harrop calling on her Chinese heritage to provide holy communication.

The church had been closed for more than three months because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Mrs Harrop said: “While administering holy communion I am using long chopsticks to drop the bread in palms of those who receive it.”

She added that a full risk assessment had been carried out and praised church wardens for ensuring all measures had been put in place.