ST LEONARD'S Hospice got a special late Christmas present thanks to a play celebrating the new Millennium.

The Heslington Millennium Christmas Mysteries involved the whole community, and £1,000 raised by the event has now been presented to the Evening Press' Hospice 2000 Appeal.

The plays, held at Heslington Church, were taken from the York cycle of Mystery Plays and brought together staff and students from York University, residents, schoolchildren and churchgoers.

Six backdrops were used, each eight feet high and 11 feet across, all depicting nativity scenes.

They were worked on by children from Heslington Playgroup, Badger Hill Primary School, Lord Deramore's Primary School and Archbishop Holgate's School.

The main parts were played by York College lecturer Bob Cummings, who played Joseph, and Heather Partridge, a reception teacher at Askham Richard Primary School, who played Mary.

Director Lee Maloney said: "The Christmas Mysteries were a lovely way to start the Christmas period and the count down to the Millennium.

"There is a lot of support within this community for the hospice and we are delighted that we have been able to raise £1,000 for the appeal."