ST MICHAEL'S Church in Brentor will be celebrating St Michael's Day with a special service this Sunday (October 3).

The church, which has stood on the summit of Brent Tor for 800 years, is dedicated to St Michael, in common with many churches in high places across Britain and Europe.

Churches in high places are so dedicated because St Michael, as the archangel, is at the 'top' or 'height' of heaven.

In past centuries, St Michael's Day has been celebrated on top of Brent Tor with a fair lasting several days. This Sunday's celebration will be a more modest celebration of holy communion.

The Rev Michael Brierley, who is responsible for St Michael's Church, said: 'Brentor maintains a marvellous pattern of weekly evening services up on the tor, from Easter right through to St Michael's Day. This is known to visitors far and wide, as well as locals, and each week we have a wonderful congregation up there, sometimes with as many dogs as people.

'It will be very special to round off the 2010 season of evening services with this celebration of holy communion to mark St Michael's Day — I hope that everyone knows that they are extremely welcome to attend.'

The service will begin at 6.30pm, and will finish in time for people to make their way down the hill before sunset.