THE Wisbech Rose Fair has one of the finest flower festivals in England, attracting thousands of visitors from all around the country. The event began more than 45 years ago, when rose buds picked locally were sold in the church gardens to raise funds for

THE Wisbech Rose Fair has one of the finest flower festivals in England, attracting thousands of visitors from all around the country.

The event began more than 45 years ago, when rose buds picked locally were sold in the church gardens to raise funds for the restoration of St Peter's Church.

And still today it is the breathtaking displays of traditional British flowers, brought together with exotic blooms flown in especially for the event, that form the centre piece of the five-day festival.

The theme for the displays at St Peter's Church this year is "Time and Tide". The church is open until 8pm most evenings, and will be surrounded by a wide variety of stalls from the Wednesday to the Saturday, selling local produce and cakes, plants, and flowers, crafts, gifts and bric-a-brac and much more.

St Peter's Church will be open for a special preview on Tuesday June 30 from 7.30pm-9pm, for people to view the stunning floral displays. Music will be provided by Jazzmin Dixieland Band, and entry is free.

There will be a choral Evensong from Wednesday to Saturday at 4.30pm. A civic service will be held on the Sunday at 10am, the Clarkson Singers give a concert at 3pm, and a Songs of Praise service will round off the celebrations on Sunday at 6.30pm.

There will be floral displays in all the other town centre churches. At Wisbech Baptist Church the flower display theme is "Our Times in his Hands," and is open from Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Light refreshments are available, and entry is free.

The theme for floral arrangements in the United Reformed Church in Castle Square is "Biblical." The church is open from Wednesday to Friday, 11am to 4pm, and Saturday from 9.30am-4pm, followed by Epilogue on Saturday from 4.15pm-4.45pm. Visiting organists will play during the festival, and books and bric-a-brac offered for sale.

Trinity Methodist Church has chosen the theme "Children's Story Books" for its theme, opening from 9am-5pm, Wednesday to Saturday. Souvenirs, crafts and cards for sale, and light lunches are available.