TAVISTOCK parish church is this week inviting parishioners to bring along a branch from a tree in their garden, to wave in the procession through the centre of town this coming Sunday to mark Palm Sunday.

Commemorating the occasion when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey to the sound of singing and the waving of palm branches, so parishioners this Sunday will wave their own tree branches as children lead a donkey through Bedford Square on the way to St Eustachius' church.

The Rev Michael Brierley, priest-in-charge of Tavistock, said: 'It's quite a spectacle. The police kindly help us across the zebra crossing.

It marks the beginning of Holy Week, leading up to Good Friday.

'The procession through town is a marvellous way of bringing this important story home.'

Once in church, the service will feature a drama specially written for the occasion by local dramatist Peggy Salmon. A service later in the day, at 6pm, will feature readings and a rendition of Fauré's Requiem by the parish church choir.

On the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week, quiet reflective services will be held each day in the church — 10.30am communion and 8pm night prayer — to which all are warmly invited.

Details of all the services for Holy Week and Easter at the parish church are on cards freely available at the back of the church for anyone to pick up and take away; the services are also listed in this week's Times and on the parish church website http://www.tavistockparishchurch.org.uk">www.tavistockparishchurch.org.uk

Everyone is invited to the procession this Sunday, which begins at 9.45am in the grounds of the parish centre by Betsy Grimbal's tower.

'Come and meet the donkey and start off this most holy week of the church's year,' said Mr Brierley.