Llandaff Cathedral is to donate £8,200 to a school in Zambia to help it set up a new chicken farm.

Generous parishioners helped the cathedral raise a record amount for this year's Cathedral Lent appeal.

The Dean of Llandaff, John Lewis, thanked all who contributed.

He said, “I am really thrilled at the generosity of people this year, particularly because we are in a recession and are all feeling the pinch financially. We’ve raised at least £3,000 more than we usually do.

“This money will help set up a chicken farm at a school in Zambia to provide an income for the school and local community, as well as teach children about poultry and how to grow small crops using chicken manure in their gardens.

"The sale of the chickens will also cover children’s school fees, enabling more children to go to school.”

Llandaff Cathedral also achieved another record this year, with a bumper turnout at its Easter services.

Those taking Communion at the five services celebrating the festival totalled more than 1,000 for just the second time in 20 years.

The Cathedral was full for its three main services – the Paschal Vigil with Confirmation on Easter Eve, the Parish family service at 9am and the Choral service at 10.45am, at which the Archbishop of Wales preached.

The Dean said, “We were delighted so many people celebrated Easter with us. Holy Week generally was very successful and we were very grateful to Fr Nicolas Stebbing of the Community of the Resurrection who conducted services throughout the week.”