Famous visitors to sung mass took regular worshippers at St Mary's Church, Maldon, by surprise.

Wearing a blue coat and matching hat, former Prime Minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher and her husband Denis attended the 70-minute service on Sunday - but they did not stay for coffee at the end with members of the 50 strong congregation.

They were accompanied by Maldon and East Chelmsford MP John Whittingdale , a former political secretary to Lady Thatcher.

The previous evening, Lady Thatcher had been the guest speaker at the constituency's Conservative association annual dinner at Five Lakes Golf and Country Club.

In his address at the start of the service, the rector the Rev Andrew McIntosh welcomed Mr Whittingdale on his first official visit to the church.

Father McIntosh went on to welcome Lady Thatcher, and said how nice it was that Mrs Thatcher had immediately spotted the new Maldon Millennium stained glass window when she entered the church.

As they left the church, both Lady Thatcher and her husband made a donation to the Sunday school's scheme.

After the service, Father McIntosh said he had been given ten days notice of the former PM's visit but had been sworn to secrecy.

"The church doors are open to anyone. We are pleased to see Mrs Thatcher here as we are pleased to see anyone," he said.

Former PM Margaret Thatcher with her husband Dennis (centre) and local MP John Whittingdale (left)

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