COLCHESTER will be making sure its singers are in full voice on Saturday as the national television cameras roll up to castle park to film one of the BBC’s longest running Christian programmes.

Songs of Praise, which has been aired since 1961, will be aired from the castle park’s bandstand on Saturday as a collection of Christian hymns both old and new are sung by members of the public.

The programme has been filmed in Colchester before, over two days in October 2011 at St Botolph’s Church.

The programme was then aired on BBC One three months later, in January 2012.

But with the filming taking place in the summer this time around, filming will take place outdoors on Saturday with recording starting at 1.30pm and expected to finish at 4.30pm.

The venue for the recording, Colchester Castle Park Bandstand, was refurbished at a cost of £94,000 last year in preparation for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Tickets, which are available free of charge, can be arranged by contacting SOPcongregations@afantimedia.tv.

Anyone getting in touch via email are asked to include ‘Songs of Praise Colchester’ in their subject header.

Tickets can also be booked via telephone, by dialling 07734-030-888.

Michelle Burrows, Colchester Council’s portfolio holder for leisure, culture and heritage said she was looking forward to the positive aspects of Colchester to go on show to thousands of viewers.

She said: “We are delighted to welcome Songs of Praise to Colchester’s award-winning Castle Park. 

 “This is another great event to add to our Year of Celebration, which is already in full swing with a packed programme of events planned for the year to celebrate our first full year as a modern city.”

She continued: “It’s a great opportunity to be celebrating heritage, wildlife, religion and the positive impacts of green spaces on wellbeing, all in one show.

“I hope viewers enjoy seeing the park and our city on this much-loved show.” 

Songs of Praise normally airs at 1.15pm on BBC One each Sunday, though a date of broadcast for the Colchester Songs of Praise programme has not yet been released.