Barbara's Bible marathon

A rector has embarked on a week-long fundraising challenge to read the Bible out loud – stopping only for rest and food.

Rev Barbara Mapley, the rector of Belbroughton, Fairfield and Clent, started her epic reading at Holy Trinity Church, Belbroughton, at 8.30am today.

She is expected to complete the challenge, a total of 1,173 chapters, on Saturday.

But she will not be alone in her effort with a team of volunteers standing by to take over the reading for her to take comfort and meal breaks.

Reading will start every day from 8.30am and conclude at around 10pm. Rev Mapley, aged 64, said her decision to take part in the challenge had been two-fold.

Firstly, she had wanted to do something special to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible's first publication.

The other was to raise cash for Holy Trinity Church, which is in need of some repairs and improvement work.

She is hoping to raise hundreds of pounds and has already received sponsorship from villagers. People are being invited to visit the church during the readings.