WINKLEIGH will be saying it with flowers when it celebrates the millennium next month — a flower festival will be held for the first time in many years at All Saints Parish Church.

The church will be awash with colour with arrangements depicting the life and works of 14 saints.

A number of associated events including a craft fayre, concert by the Winkleigh Singers, cream teas and ploughman's lunches are being organised during the festival weekend of May 27, 28 and 29.

Valerie Matthews, who is helping to arrange the event, said it was going to be a weekend to remember.

'We have been thinking of having a flower festival for many years and the millennium year seemed to be a good time to do it,' she said.

'I have lived in Winkleigh for 15 years and I don't remember a festival of this kind taking place during that time.'

Mrs Matthews said the Parochial Parish Council had raised some funding to put on the event and business and individuals had been very generous.

People from the village had offered their planters and hanging baskets to decorate the churchyard.

'There are not many churches dedicated to All Saints and we felt it was appropriate to take this theme,' she added.

'It is quite an unusual theme and has involved a lot of research and thought.

'We are planning a great weekend — there is a tremendous amount going on.'