A WEST Wiltshire town is set to hold a colourful celebration to mark the 1,300th anniversary of the consecration of St Aldhelm as Bishop of Sherbourne.

St Aldhelm was Abbot of Malmesbury Abbey and has close links throughout Wiltshire and Dorset, including Bradford on Avon.

According to the writings of William of Malmesbury, the Saxon Church of St Lawrence was built by St Aldhelm in AD 705, although the style of the building suggests a later date.

On Sunday at 10am there will be a procession from the Church of St Laurence to the Holy Trinity Church, where there will be a celebration of the eucharist.

The church service will culminate with the performance of a specially written hymn about the saint.

Children from Fitzmaurice Primary School have also got involved in the celebrations by making bishops' mitres, or headdresses, a collage and thought leaves.

The children's artwork will be on display in Holy Trinity Church over the next few weeks.

Bradford Library Local History Group will aim to clear up some of the myths about St Aldhelm on Sunday, when they hold a talk between 2.30-5pm in the upper meeting room of the library.

Anyone who would like further information should go to www.thealdhelmway.org.uk