UNITARIANS across Yorkshire will mark the 200th anniversary of the foundation of their district association this summer.

A pokeswoman said that on June 8, 1815, congregations from eight Unitarian chapels, including one in St Saviourgate, York, came together to found a Society for the distribution of religious tracts.

"The hope was that active missionary work would draw more people to their liberal religious fold and to the establishing of more Unitarian chapels," she said.

She said the society had become the present Yorkshire Unitarian Union, which currently had nine member congregations, including ones at Scarborough, Whitby and York, and, to mark the anniversary, the Union had published Roots and Wings, a 64-page book which provided a short history of the Union and prayers, poems and words for reflection.

Contributors included the Reverend Margaret Kirk who has pastoral care at Flowergate Chapel, Whitby and lay people from the York congregation.

She said copies were available at £5 plus £1.20 postage from David Dawson, 9, Olicana Park, Ilkley LS29 0AW, by phoning 01943 608354 or emailing dcdawson3@hotmail.com