EXCITEMENT is building ahead as this year's Festival of Churches is soon to get underway.

Worcestershire has joined forces with Herefordshire and Shropshire to provide 16 days of church based events across the three counties.

Andrew Mottra, one of the organisers, said: “We listened to what people were saying last year and so have extended it this year so churches can support each other’s events as well as staff their own.

“Churches are still signing up despite having missed the brochure, which is great as we want as many as we can to put on an event during the duration of the Festival. It also means everyone in the area can enjoy the Festival for longer.”

In Worcestershire, visitors will be given ten keys to unlock St Faith’s Church at Berrow, while church tours on the half hour will give 10 different aspects of this medieval church - with a headless lady.

In Claines there will be a big bible read, guest Bell Ringers and a parish party in the Churchyard.

St John's The Baptist Church, which is more than 1,000 years old, will also be open to the public to explore.

Staff will be on hand to tell the story of the churches, and there will be concerts showcasing a wide genre of music at the various churches too.

Other activities include bell ringing, church trails, wedding celebrations and flower festivals. T

Throughout the event, there will also be coffee mornings, lunches and barbecues at the different locations.

It is scheduled to start on Saturday, September 6, and run until Sunday, September 21.

For more information on The Festival of Churches, or for a full list of events, visit festivalofchurches.org