THE priest-in-charge of Tavistock will be found washing his parishioners' feet this evening (Thursday) in a special service in the town.

Commemorating the Last Supper, when Jesus washed his disciples' feet in a symbolic act of service, the Rev Michael Brierley will carry out the gesture in St Eustachius Church. The service begins at 8pm, and is held to mark Maundy Thursday. It will end with a stark stripping of the interior furnishings of the church, to give the church a desolate appearance for Good Friday.

On Good Friday itself, the parish church is featuring a special children's service at 9.30am, followed by the making of an Easter garden in the parish centre, and hot cross buns. At 12pm, a three-hour service begins in the parish church, with addresses by a visiting preacher, the Reverend Canon Michael Roberts, former principal of Westcott House theological college, Cambridge.

'We ask parishioners who are not able to stay for the full three hours, to come and go at 1pm and 2pm,' said Mr Brierley.

On Easter Day, Christians will gather at the Pimple at 5am, celebrating communion at 6.30am, followed by breakfast in Whitchurch Village Hall. Easter festivities continue in Tavistock parish church at 9.45am. Everyone is warmly invited.