AN It's a Knock Out competition probably wasn't what the monks of Whalley Abbey had in mind when they first settled there 700 years ago.

But that is how teams of church-goers from all over Lancashire helped celebrate the anniversary of the ancient abbey yesterday.

Around 1,000 people gathered for the Pilgrimage Day service, which was followed by an afternoon of fun and games.

The service is held every year to mark the anniversary of the abbey. This year was extra special because it is the 700th anniversary of the arrival of the first monks.

The service was led by the Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway, the Rt Rev John Taylor, whose predecessor first consecrated the abbey.

Chaplain to the Abbey, the Rev Chris Sterry, explained: "The monks first settled at the abbey in 1296 and it was consecrated 10 years later by the Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway. "Everyone taking part in the It's a Knock Out church challenge had a lot of fun and, of course, the beautiful weather helped."

Teams were put through their paces with a variety of tough challenges, including egg-throwing and putting a ping-pong ball in a bucket without using hands.

And, after some serious competition, it was the 007 James Bond team from St Bartholomew's Church, Great Harwood, who took the trophy.

Last year's winners, from St Cuthbert's Church, Fulwood, were second with St James' Church, Lower Darwen, third.

Visitors also had the chance to admire the new sculptures around the abbey grounds.

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