FELINE, furry, feathered or fins – Holy Trinity Church in Coldhurst celebrated the creation of all creatures great and small at a special service.

Marking Ecology Sunday, curate Reverend Sheila O’Flaherty led an open air service and welcomed a host of pets and their owners.

Animal lover and proud owner of Labrador Maisie, parish vicar Rev David Austin preached the sermon, talking about his previous Labrador, now immortalised in book called “Gentleman Sam” helping children cope with bereavement.

“I was keen to raise the awareness that we owe a debt of gratitude to the Creator of our natural world - particularly on this occasion to the love and friendship of our pets - whether canine, feline, furry, feathered or fins,” said Rev Austin.

“I spoke of how the birds joined in with our open air singing and that our pets can preach a better sermon than the vicar - speaking of God’s unconditional love, protection and provision.

“We prayed for all the animal kingdom - working animals, agriculture, veterinary services, wildlife and marine life.”

A retiring collection was made to the Anglican Society for Welfare of Animals before pets and their owners tucked into tea and biscuits after the service.