THE classic characters that feature in Beatrix Potter’s timeless animal tales will be descending on Steeple Ashton’s church for harvest festival this September.

From September 21 to 22, the church interior will be transformed into a Beatrix Potter themed setting.

There will be a garden in the Lady Chapel, overlooked by life-size figures of Mr and Mrs McGregor in front of their cottage, built by churchwarden, Michael Moore.

The display will continue in the area around the altar where Peter Rabbit will be seen, with knitted carrot and real harvest produce.

Meanwhile the area around the church front will feature a village pond with fishing in process, while the vestry will have been transformed into a tearoom serving tea, coffee and cakes.

Chief organiser Petra Brown said: “This is involving a massive effort by the whole village community. We want to reach out to the wider community beyond the regular churchgoers."

Village children have designed and produced posters welcoming visitors in the entrance to the church, the local guides and brownies have turned clothes pegs into Beatrix Potter characters, people in the village are busy baking cakes and an army of volunteers is on standby to decorate the church and put the displays into place.

The harvest festival will run from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, 21, and from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday, 22 September. Admission is free, but donations will be welcome, with all proceeds shared between the Melksham Food Bank and Alabare Christian Care, a homeless charity.