A couple have created a different kind of memorial to their only son through a gift of 50 Bibles to their church.

David and Pamela Moss gave the pew Bibles to St Wilfrid's Church, Calverley, where they are members of the congregation, as a memorial to their son Richard, who was killed in a road accident in Farsley in November 1999.

He was just 26 when he died.

The Reverend John Walker, vicar of St Wilfrid's, said: "David and Pamela have become part of the church family here at St Wilfrid's, and wanted a 'living' memorial to their son - for them the Bibles are just the ticket."

Mrs Moss said they thought the gift was very appropriate for their son, who always enjoyed reading.

"It's a lovely memorial for Richard and it's a great privilege," she said.

The church celebrated receiving the Bibles - part of a delivery of 100 new books - with a five-day Biblethon, during which the entire Bible was being read aloud non-stop.

More than 60 church members, including Mrs Moss, will have taken turns reading sections from the Bible at the church before the end of the marathon tomorrow on Bible Sunday.

Other church members also donated money for the Bibles, including an anonymous gift of £500 as "a thanksgiving gift for a long and happy marriage".

Mr Walker said the event was to make a statement that they belonged to a Bible-believing church and because new pew Bibles and a lectern Bible had been introduced for what is believed to be the first time in the church's history.