THREE hundred people of all ages attended a birthday service in York Minster to mark 30 years of Age Concern in the city.

BBC television news personality Harry Gration, who lives in York, and children from Westfield Junior School choir took part in the thanksgiving service, along with Canon in Residence Glyn Webster, the Salvation Army's Major Paul Westlake, Methodist minister the Rev Geoffrey Pratt and Sister Agatha of the Bar Convent.

After the service, guests - including the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Irene Waudby, and the Sheriff of York, Coun Janet Greenwood - trekked across to the Guildhall for a tea party.

The Lord Mayor presented long service awards to Age Concern volunteers Jean Hey (20 years), Peter Stanley (15 years), Maureen Robinson and Joan Clark (10 years).

Updated: 10:21 Wednesday, October 03, 2001