PEOPLE in Fordingbridge and surrounding villages are busy rehearsing to perform the town’s first open air telling of the Easter story on Good Friday.

Churches Together in Fordingbridge and District have teamed up to stage the play as an alternative to the normal Walk of Witness.

Assistant Priest in the Avon Valley Partnership Nicky Davies said: “We wanted to try something different for Good Friday that involved telling the story in an accessible way, included people from all our churches and still incorporated a walk through the town.”

People are invited to gather at 10.30am in the Recreation Ground in Fordingbridge on Good Friday where the first scenes take place before moving through the town to Provost Street for the trial and telling of the crucifixion and resurrection.

Hot cross buns will be handed out and costumes will be available for people who want to join in, with hot drinks and refreshments available from the Riverside Kiosk.

The action will take place predominantly on a lorry provided by Ray Avery Recovery.

The Right Reverend Jonathan Frost, the Bishop of Southampton, will join onlookers for the community theatre production, before offering a prayer of blessing at the end.

Assistant Curate Rachel Noel said: “We hope that through the play people will get a sense of the good news that we have to share at Easter and that it is more than just about giving Easter eggs, although that’s an important part of the celebration too as we think about the new life that we are offered at Easter.”