A NEW heritage trail of Thetford's churches will be launched on Saturday St Peter's Church. The trail leaflet is a new addition to the family of trail leaflets around the town, guiding visitors around the places of worship in the town centre and giving a flavour of the town's rich ecclesiastical past taking in the Cluniac Priory and the Canons of the Holy Sepulchre.

A NEW heritage trail of Thetford's churches will be launched on Saturday St Peter's Church.

The trail leaflet is a new addition to the family of trail leaflets around the town, guiding visitors around the places of worship in the town centre and giving a flavour of the town's rich ecclesiastical past taking in the Cluniac Priory and the Canons of the Holy Sepulchre. The trail aims to raise awareness of the influence churches have had in the development of the town and to give a greater appreciation of the buildings that remain.

The guide has been produced by Thetford Town Council and has been jointly funded by the Breckland Council and Thetford Christians Together.

Local historian David Osborne, who is responsible for the majority of the text, said: “This trail leaflet will hopefully raise awareness of the town's religious history and how important the church has been in the development of the town over the centuries.”

Further projects in the pipeline include improved signage around the town and new audio guides of the town's Heritage and Thomas Paine Trails. Visitors will be able to download copies of these audio trails or hire an audio guide from the town's Tourist Information Centre.

Heritage Open Days celebrates England's rich architecture, history and culture. Thousands of properties are opened free of charge across the country. Locally the Thetford Society has organised the events in Thetford. Saturday's events include a living history talk about medieval life by a costumed interpreter in St Peter's Church from 10am-2pm, the old mill workings and one of the country's few remaining horizontal water wheels can be viewed between 10am and midday at the Mill House in St Audrey's. There is also a visit to Thetford's Old Gaol at 3pm with the opportunity to see the recently excavated dungeon. The Dad's Army, Charles Burrell & Ancient House Museums are also open all day. The Charles Burrell Museum has a special exhibit being prepared for the weekend and the Thetford Treasure, on loan from the British Museum, continues to be on display in the Ancient House, Museum of Thetford Life.

On Sunday historian Mr Osborne will lead a guided walk of Thetford's mills and maltings departing from the Thomas Paine Hotel at 10.30am. The Charles Burrell Museum will also be open,

For further information visit www.explorethetford.co.uk, www.thetfordsociety.org.uk or www.heritageopendays.org.uk or or contact Thetford Tourist Information on 01842 751975.