Hundreds of candles flickered upon a hill, paying homage to St Catherine in a beautiful display visible for miles around.

The first Candles on the Hill took place in Abbotsbury on Sunday, beginning with a service at St Catherine's Chapel in the afternoon.

Following the service, candles, which had been bought and decorated by local business owners and members of the community, were lit to create a dramatic display on the hillside.

Candles were placed in a circle on St Catherine's mount as a representation of the Catherine wheel.

The weather was perfect too; a beautiful atmosphere was created as candles glowed brightly on a crisp winter evening.

Organiser Tina Raymond, of Abbotsbury-based business Purple Nanny, says the event has raised in the region of £400 which will go to St Nicholas' Church and Abbotsbury playground.

She said: "I thought it was a fantastic event which was very well-supported by local independent businesses and the community.

"We received a lot of very positive feedback from those that visited and walked around the circle of candles reading the messages and looking at the beautifully hand-decorated bags.

"I am still on an emotional high from being part of such a wonderful event."

Abbotsbury playground, funded by locals with the help of a lottery grant, is located underneath the chapel and maintained and insured by volunteers.

The playground also relies completely on donations and fundraising.

St Nicholas' Church is also vital to the community, with vicar Margaret Preuss-Higham very active in her role.

Fundraising is an essential part of the church's upkeep, with funds going towards maintaining the historical building.

Margaret said: "St Nicholas' Church has always remembered St Catherine of Alexandria with a service at the chapel, weather permitting.

"Abbotsbury traders and tourism association decided to resurrect the 'Candles on the Hill' and I am excited to see this happening again. I am grateful that they have chosen St Nicholas' Church to be a recipient of half the funds raised."

Catherine wheels are named so to commemorate the torture of the saint in the fourth century when Roman Emperor Maxentius ordered her to be killed on a spiked wheel for protesting about the persecution of Christians.

Legend has it the wheel shattered when Catherine touched it and she was beheaded instead.

It was the custom until the late 19th Century for the young women of Abbotsbury, particularly those in search of husbands, to go to the chapel and invoke her aid.