ARELEY Kings parishioners are preparing to celebrate the life of their church's most famous priest, who helped shape the language spoken today.

St Bartholomew's Church is hosting a three-day festival on the weekend of February 10, 11 and 12 to mark the work of Layamon, who penned the book, Brut, while living in the village.

Mystery surrounds much of his life but it is known he was the son of Liefnoth and lived in a church on the banks of the River Severn in Ernley, the medieval name for Areley Kings.

The British Library contains two hand-made manuscript copies of the book, which was written in Early English, thought to have been made 50 years after the original in the latter part of the 13th century.

Andrew Wehner, the church's archivist, is giving a talk at the weekend, where the author's possible links with William Shakespeare will be explored.

The 76-year-old explained: "The book, which charts parts of the country's history, mentions the stories of King Lear and King Cymbeline. We can only presume that is where Shakespeare took his ideas from for his work. It is unclear whether he would have read the Latin versions or the English book translated by Layamon."

Youngsters from Windmill Middle School in Stourport are taking the lead roles in the play, In Early Areley.

Revellers have been asked to turn up in period dress to sample the food and drink that Layamon himself would have had, including specially prepared wine and ale, when they turn the clock back 800 years at a grand medieval banquet.

Anyone interested in attending any of the activities should call Ian Gwillam on 01299 825791 or Mr Wehner on 01299 822520 for tickets.