MYSTERY surrounding the sudden disappearance of Jesus from a cross in the heart of a North Yorkshire village has been solved.

Residents in Grewelthorpe, near Ripon, had blamed vandals for ripping down the image of Christ on the cross, which had looked down on the community for 84 years.

But, in fact, the oak image nailed to a 12ft tall wooden cross had simply collapsed on to the triangular piece of grassland, in Cross Hills, through old age and decay.

Seeing it on the ground, public-spirited churchwarden John Shardlow appropriately took it into nearby St James's church for safe keeping until he could arrange for its repair.

Mr Shardlow, who is also the church treasurer, said the model's arms had collapsed and it had simply dropped to the ground.

"Although the crucifix does not belong to the church, I thought it would be fitting to have it properly repaired and replaced because it is such a prominent landmark," he said.

And while local residents were blaming vandals for its disappearance, Grewelthorpe's Jesus was laying on a table in the church kitchen.

But its resting place caused quite a start for an unsuspecting visitor, who jumped back with surprise after seeing Jesus's legs sticking out from its new-found resting place.

Parish council chairman Peter Lofthouse said: "Everyone was blaming vandals when it suddenly vanished.

"It's something people look at when they pass, and people were surprised to see it had disappeared."

The final bill for restoration is not yet known, but it could cost a few hundred pounds.

Mr Shardlow said the church would pay most of the bill, but he is hopeful there will be a donation from the parish council.

The crucifix at Cross Hills was erected as a war memorial in August 1917, its cost being met by villagers.

It is expected to be fully restored within weeks, and returned to its traditional home.

Updated: 11:04 Tuesday, August 28, 2001