AN Ilkley church is putting the finishing touches to its world record breaking 48,000 piece jigsaw before it goes on display to the public.

Christchurch, Ilkley, invites people to come and see the amazing completed puzzle which will measure 7.68m by 2.04m from Easter Monday, April 2 to April 7 (10am to 6pm daily).

Admission will be free but donations to the charity fundraiser can be made through the church’s fundraising page at https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/worldslargestjigsaw

After the success of their fourth annual Jigsaw Festival in 2017, Christchurch appealed to businesses to sponsor the building of the world’s largest production jigsaw which has been given by an anonymous donor.

At 48,000 pieces and comprising 24 linked panels each illustrating a different part of the world, it is even larger than “the largest commercial jigsaw puzzle at 40,320 pieces”, according to Guinness World Records.

Businesses were encouraged to take part in the fun team-building exercise at the end of February. There is still time to for local businesses or individuals to be involved in creating something Ilkley has never seen before. Church members have been busy making up the various sections. This activity continues every Friday evening at Christchurch – all welcome.

Christchurch raised over £1,800 during the 2017 jigsaw festival for beneficiaries - Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Cancer Research UK and the church itself. It is hoped the final phase will add more to the three funds and earn a mention in the Guinness Book of Records.

For further information contact brianpatscott@gmail.com