A FLOWER festival will celebrate the 150th anniversary of a Gosport church.

Christ Church in Stoke Road will be awash with beautifully decorated floral displays for the festival this weekend.

The theme is ‘Come to me’ which is something that Jesus said repeatedly when he walked the earth more than 2,000 years ago.

Each of the displays will be a visual representation of these words spoken by Jesus to different people in different situations.

The theme was chosen by the vicar Rev Andy Davis who was inspired by a stained glass window behind the high altar containing these words.

Organiser Kathy Smith said: “I am really looking forward to the festival. It is about celebrating the 150th anniversary of this church in Gosport and the things that have brought people into contact with the church throughout the years.

“We have lots of different churches from the area creating displays together with local schools and members of this church themselves.

“It’s quite a privilege to be organising the festival and I’m extremely grateful to all those people who are working so hard to create their displays. Do come along and celebrate the 150th anniversary with us as we look towards the future and all that it holds.”

The festival is open on Friday and Saturday between 10am and 5pm and on Sunday between 2pm and 5pm. Also on Sunday, the Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Christopher Foster will be leading a special service at 11am.

Refreshments will be served throughout the festival in the parish hall.

The church was consecrated by Bishop Sumner on June 2, 1865.

To find out more, please visit the church website at www.christchurchgosport.co.uk