SEVENTY-two wooden hand made candlesticks found in a cupboard at Trinity Church in March will be pressed into service later this month, when the church hosts a flower festival in miniature.

Each of the six dozen candlesticks will be mounted on a board, and will be the focal point of small arrangements with the theme “Celebrate.”

Flower festival organiser Lesley Wright said: “More than 20 years ago, church member Len Ball made the candlesticks for a Christmas event.

“The congregation had brought along some brass candlesticks, but we needed a few more to improve the lighting. Len made another six dozen wooden candlesticks, which we used with great success.

“When the pews were taken out of the church and chairs and floor tiles came into fashion, the wooden candlesticks went into a cupboard, until they were rediscovered during a clear-out.”

The three day flower festival in miniature takes place on Friday and Saturday, June 28 and 29, between 10am and 5pm, and on Sunday June 30 from 12noon to 3pm.

Admission by programme costs £1 for adults, with accompanied children admitted free.

On Sunday June 30, MADAOS - March and District Amateur Operatic Society - will perform a concert at 4pm. Tickets cost £8 for adults and £4 for children, including a strawberry tea served in the interval.

Sunday morning’s worship at 10.30am will be led by Revd P Dewdney, and proceeds from the weekend will go to church funds.