A REPRODUCTION of the Lindisfarne Gospels will feature at a spectacular flower festival celebrating the 160th anniversary of a County Durham church.

Durham Cathedral has loaned the facsimile of the medieval manuscript to St Luke's Church, in Ferryhill, for the festival, which takes place tomorrow (Saturday, September 28) and Sunday.

All of the beautiful arrangements on display are inspired by church life and the events, experiences and rites of passage that characterise people’s lives.

Baptism, confirmation, marriage, death and resurrection are all depicted, as well as music, prayer, harvest and children and youth.

Talented flower arrangers from St Luke’s and other nearby churches have joined forces for the ambitious project.

Reverend Keith Lumsdon, who recently celebrated 25 years as Vicar of Ferryhill, said it was wonderful to see the church so full of colour.

“I would like to thank everybody who contributed, especially Anne Gray of Chilton Flower Club and Lynne Arnold from Newton Aycliffe,” he said.

“I hope lots of people will come along to the festival. St Luke’s is such a warm and welcoming place and, of course, we have the reproduction of the Lindisfarne Gospels, which is very exciting.”

The festival is open from 10am to 4pm tomorrow and from 2pm to 5pm on Sunday.

A concert with Ferryhill Brass Band and Northern Voices will also be held in the church at 7pm tomorrow night and a Songs of Praise service will take place at 6pm on Sunday.

Tickets for the concert cost £5 from 01740-653295.