AMBLECOTE Wordsley Methodist Church is about to be engulfed in a blaze of colour as parishioners prepare for a flower festival to mark their 175th year.

The festival takes place next weekend when proceedings commence with a performance from Halesowen Brass Band on Friday evening, July 18.

A total of 25 flower arrangements will bedeck the High Street based church depicting the theme of 'Singing the Faith'

Organiser Maureen Griffiths said: "We staged our last flower festival four years ago and I really did wonder whether we'd have enough arrangements this time but the response has been wonderful. It's got to the point that I'm having difficulty finding enough room to put them all."

The festival is dedicated to long-time organist Norman Yardley, who died earlier this year at the age of 91.

Maureen added: "One of his daughters is travelling up from her home in South Wales to provide one of the arrangements."

Viewing takes place on Saturday from 11am to 4pm when light lunches will be served and from 12 noon to 4pm on Sunday.

Tickets for the brass band concert, which starts at 7.30pm, cost £5 - and are available on the door.