A BUSY time looms at St Thomas's Church, Musbury, Helmshore, preparing to hold ten days of events to celebrate its 150th anniversary

The Rev Norman Price said: "We start on June 2 with a special service of thanksgiving to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee when we shall be joined by our friends from St Veronica's RC Church and the Scouts and Guides."

Locals are making scarecrows for a trail round Helmshore on the weekend of June 22 and 23. Anyone wishing to join should call Rachel Bulcock on 07970115101 for a registration form.

Also on June 22 there will be the annual carnival from St Thomas's. The procession will meet outside St Veronica's at 2pm before the parade and the crowning of the new Rose Queen.

A gala will then be held on the playing field of Helmshore Primary School.

June 23 sees a procession of witness through the village for St Thomas's and St Veronica's and on June 26 there will be an anniversary dinner in St Thomas's Sunday School.

From June 29 to July 3 there will be a flower festival from 10.30am each day in St Thomas's when it is hoped to have entertainment provided by local children.

Victorian costumes are being made for June 30 when a procession through the village will be held at 2pm, followed by a Victorian tea party and Victorian evensong in church at 6pm.

Mr Price said: "Our celebrations conclude on July 3 when we welcome our Diocesan Bishop, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters, to celebrate and preach at a Festival Eucharist at 7.30pm.

"We hope to welcome a number of other distinguished guests, including former vicars.

"The evening will conclude with a grand draw in the Sunday School with 150 prizes, one for every year of the church's existence. Th first prize will be £150."