THE vicar of Llangollen marked the end of Christmas with a ceremony blessing the front of his home on Sunday night.

Parishioners and friends of St Collen’s Church gathered at the Abbey Road vicarage to see Father Lee Taylor perform the traditional Chalking of the Door, bringing to an end the 12 days of Christmas and the beginning of Epiphany.

Mr Taylor, who previously said he is keen to revive ancient and forgotten church rituals, used chalk to inscribe the coming year alongside the initials of Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, the three Wise Men who followed the star of Bethlehem to find Jesus. Incense was also burned as special prayers were read to the congregation.

Mr Taylor hit the national headlines at a Llangollen pub last year after carrying out a beer blessing ceremony, a holy tradition started by 6th century monks.