A church in Bovingdon marked the end of summer with a three day flower and art festival over the bank holiday weekend.

The event, which took place at St Lawrence Church in High Street, Bovingdon, began on Saturday, August 29 and finished on Monday to raise funds for the Friends of St Lawrence trust to enable them to keep up with the church’s maintenance.

The art show featured works for sale by seven artists from the area, including Liz Hobson and Marion Perkins, and an experienced team of arrangers, led by Jane West and Anna Hayward, who filled the church with flower displays.

There was also quilts made by local craftspeople to see, paintings from The Mount Prison and by children from Bovingdon Primary Academy and flower displays ran on the theme of ‘anniversaries’.

Outside in the church yard visitors enjoyed cream teams and an antiques valuation and auction.

Recent projects benefitting from the Friends of St Lawrence include the repair of damaged stonework and of the perimeter wall which surrounds three sides of the church, and current projects include the repair of damaged stained glass and the refurbishment of the church clock face.

Geoff Robinson, who lives in Bovingdon and attended the festival, said: "It was a splendid way to spend a couple of hours over a damp weekend.

"Beautiful art from local artisits complemented some fabulously themed flower displays. They were all amazing, none more so than a back corner of the church dominated by Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatters tea party."

Pauline Wright, who ran the organising committee for the festival, added: "We are delighted with the support from the local community that has helped us raise almost £7,000 towards the preservation and enhancement of the church and church yard.

"There was a constant stream of visitors throughout the three day weekend despite the indifferent weather.

"Our flower arrangers did a magnificent job and we are indebted to local businesses, organisations and shops for their most generous sponsorship, donations and for Stephen Hearn from Tring Auctions who conducted valuations and an auction.

"On the Saturday Harrow Opera and the Bovingdon Players entertained us to a wonderful concert."