Hundreds to descend on church memorial

Catholics across the country will be descending on a Staffordshire church this weekend to marvel at a revamped replica of the Lourdes shrine.

A new altar has been added to the cave at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Hednesford, Cannock. On Sunday, around 900 people will make the annual pilgrimage to the church in Victoria Street at the reproduction of the French memorial.

People will be able to enjoy a picnic in the grounds ahead of the services led by the Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Rev Bernard Longley.

Parish priest Father Philip Newbold said the archbishop would dedicate the altar during the service.