FOREST vicar Rev Sarah Fenby faced up to one of her biggest fears to help a £400,000 project to improve St Mary’s Church in Lydney.

Rev Fenby has had a life-long aversion to snakes but agreed to get up close to a 1.5 metre boa constrictor at the Lydney parish fete last Saturday to help the cause.

She said: “I have conquered a life-long fear of reptiles by having a snake placed around my neck.”

There was also an announcement at the fete of a major boost to the appeal. For the full story see this week’s Review.