A FLOWER festival has been arranged to help mark the 75th anniversary of a Mill Hill church this week.

John Keble Church, in Deans Lane, is playing host to florists from the local area and some of national fame for the Flame of Love festival, which starts on Thursday.

It also coincides with the feast of Pentecost, which has provided the theme for people entering this year’s event.

Organiser Sylvia Daker said: “Its rich symbolism with fire at one end and doves at the other will provide huge visual scope for the arrangers.

"It's also our 75th anniversary year so we're literally painting the church red for this one. The church will be a riot of colour."

Former Ravenscroft School pupil and renowned florist Mathew Dickinson, a former Chelsea Flower Show winner, will be giving a masterclass at 7.30pm on Thursday.

On Saturday actor Frank Williams, who played the vicar in Dad’s Army and is a long-time parishoner, will be in conversation with Canon Chris Chivers, as he celebrates his 80th birthday.

The church’s minister Canon Chivers said: “"I guess this will be the vicar meets the vicar.

“Frank has had such a varied acting career, in plays on the stage, in panto – as a dame – and on television with Mainwaring, Jones, Pike, Godfrey and Fraser that it'll be fascinating to hear his story as he celebrates his birthday."

On Sunday Canon Matthew Vernon, Canon Pastor at St Edmundsbury Cathedral, described by Canon Chivers as a “rising star” of the church, will be giving the preacher at the 9.30am festival service while the Life and Mission Choir offer Spirit Songs in a concert which ends the weekend at 7pm.

The flowers will be open to the public from 11am-6pm on Friday and Saturday, and 11am to 4pm on Sunday, June 12.

Lunches and afternoon tea are available, tickets for all events can be bought on the door or from Maureen Goss on 0208 959 1999.