FROM the start of Genesis to Amen at the end of the Book of Revelations, Suffolk Rector Sharon Swain has completed reading every word of the Good Book.

FROM the start of Genesis to Amen at the end of the Book of Revelations, Suffolk Rector Sharon Swain has completed reading every word of the Good Book.

The Rev Swain, rector of Brantham and East Bergholt, read the Bible aloud from cover-to-cover over 80 hours in five days.

Mrs Swain, 56, started her reading session at 7am last Tuesday at St Michael and All Angels Church in Brantham and finished at 7.30pm on Saturday.

That night it was her eldest son's birthday and by 11am Sunday she was taking a church service again at Brantham.

The Rev David Searle, assistant priest at Brantham and East Bergholt, said: "She did marvellously well and even finished a little ahead of schedule by a few minutes.

"A lot of people were there for it and stood up when she read the last chapter and gave her a standing ovation. It was quite a tearful experience for her."

She hoped the Bible-read will encourage more local organisations to help repair the nave roof, and one Brantham villager has pledged £1,000 to the cause.

The condition of the church roof is poor and £26,500 has already been raised, but £49,000 was still needed to pay for vital work.

Exactly how much has been raised by Mrs Swain's Bible-reading marathon is not yet known, but £2,000 was collected in cash gifts at the church.