A THOUSAND-year-old Worcestershire village looks set to become one of the best preserved in the county.

Hartlebury will come to life this weekend during the first nationwide Local History Week and county museums officer Robin Hill says the event will help guarantee its future.

Events, walks, exhibitions and talks have been organised by groups, including the Hartlebury History Society and the Old Elizabethans' Association.

Mr Hill believes the celebrations will be the biggest and the best in Worcestershire because, he says, the whole community is organising different events.

"The point is to encourage more people, especially the younger generation, to conserve and preserve their heritage.

"Hartlebury grew up around the castle 1,000 years ago and is in a fine state now," he added.

"If we can keep everyone's interest it will remain like this and could be one of the best-preserved in the county."

The centrepiece of the celebrations will be an exhibition depicting the village's past in the Great Hall of Hartlebury Castle.

It is open from 2pm to 5pm this Sunday, 11am to 5pm on Monday and 10am to 5pm from Tuesday to Thursday.

The parish church of St James will be open on Saturday, Sunday and Monday and will be visited by Peter Luff MP.