WORK to stage the forthcoming Festival of Flowers at St Mary Magdalene church in Taunton is gathering pace.

Staging is now being erected and the flowers and willows will be arranged on Wednesday and Thursday in time for the concert and preview on Thursday evening (July 9).

Nationally known willow sculptors Serena de la Haye (creator of the Bridgwater Willow man), Nicky Heal and Fon Cosens have all provided works based on the festival theme of marriage.

A Chelsea Gold Medal winner is among the teams and individual floral artists now setting to work, building to a climax in time for the festival concert and preview on Thursday evening.

The concert will be based around the theme of marriage with musical items often associated with weddings.

Miles Quick, director of music, said: "There will be choral pieces sung by the choir, vocal solos by the Soprano Josie Cresswell and the tenor Gregory Steward will be singing and playing the trumpet.

"We'll also have celebratory organ pieces in addition to inspiring readings - the whole designed to complement the spectacular flower displays".

Festival organiser Cheryl Birkett added: "We will be particularly pleased to welcome back people who were married at St Mary Magdalene in years gone by.

"We are already in touch with one couple who were married in the church in 1968 and plan to present a bottle of bubbly to the longest married couple who attend the preview event on Thursday."

Tickets (£10) for the preview and concert are on sale from Magdalene's bookshop in the church or at the door.

The festival itself will be open from 9am to 5pm on Friday and Saturday and from1pm until 5pm on Sunday.