A very special event is taking place in Benacre Church on the last weekend of July.

St. Michael's Church at Benacre is privately owned and has been closed to the public for several decades.

But later this month this very rarely opened church is hosting an exhibition of all kinds of displays, providing a good insight into the many and varied aspects of the villages of Benacre and Covehithe.

One of the organisers, Beryl Banester, said: 'The church itself is so unusual with a very light and airy interior and its varying sizes of box pews and it is worth a visit in its own right, but with the exhibition is something not to be missed.'

At the exhibition, there will be flowers, history, maps, numerous photos and light refreshments provided for all as well as fascinating anecdotes, snippets of information and miscellaneous items.

Smugglers, aeroplanes and shipwrecks have all played their part in the little-known history of these two parishes, to say nothing of the huge amount of coastal erosion and resultant archaeological finds.

Fellow exhibition organiser, Rosie Carter, said: 'Very little is generally known about these two parishes and they have been overlooked by many as they are mainly agricultural areas bordered with the sea.

'So, come and find out about them – you will be surprised at the activity that has been there over the years.'

The exhibition, which runs from July 27 to July 29, will be open between 10am and 5pm on each of the three days and entrance is free but donations for charitable purposes will be welcome.