A Tolworth church celebrated the 50th anniversary of its consecration with a flower festival and a visit from an archbishop.

The celebrations saw Our Lady Immaculate Church decorated in flowers last weekend, following a special evening mass delivered by Archbishop Peter Smith.

Father Anthony Charlton said: “It was excellent. The Archbishop of Southwark came and we had music and some soloists.

“Afterwards we had refreshments and the cutting of a cake.”

The community was also invited to arrange flowers to the theme of Heaven on Earth, for a large display on June 8 and 9.

Rosemary Maranzano, flower arranging co-ordinator, said: “The church looked stunning. The aroma of the flowers was also quite intoxicating.

“Individually the displays were all wonderful. Some of them were professional, some not.

“Several parishioners arranged flowers from their gardens and, large or small, each played their part.”

The Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary School took part in the festival, with each classroom arranging a display.

Other church organisations, such as Catholic Mothers, Knights of St Columba and the Children’s Liturgy Group, also took part.

Our Lady Immaculate Church, which was built in 1958 after 22 years of community fundraising, was consecrated on May 31, 1963.

It will soon be presented with commemorative light fixtures.

Mr Charlton said: "One of the things we are doing is we are getting a craftsman to make us sconces.

"There are 12 crosses in the church marking the 12 places where the church was originally marked with consecrating oil.

"Every year we put candles there and they have become worn. We are delighted to have those new ones made."