CELEBRATIONS will get underway this weekend to celebrate the 900th anniversary of a famous landmark.

Romsey Abbey is marking its 900th anniversary of the present Norman church which is believed to have been started in c1120.

The Abbey itself has a much longer history, going back to c907

Romsey Abbey will host a load of events this year, starting with this weekend.

You may have noticed Romsey Abbey has the numbers '900' on them already.

On Sunday, January 5, there will be the launch event at 10am which is a Epiphany Service.

It will also include banner celebrations through the Nave - which will be on display until November, a timeline on display of the building, a wood-block model of the building and a slide show of the Abbey.

In January the theme is Your Romsey, Your Abbey, Your History.

In February there will be displays and practical demonstrations about some of the crafts which went into building the Abbey church.

Reverend Thomas Wharton said: " People may have noticed the bright 900 lit up on the bell tower - this is in celebration of the 900th anniversary and the year of events.

"We say the Abbey belongs to the people of Romsey as it wouldn't be here if peole didn't raise enough money to buy it from Henry VIII in 1539.

"We are looking forward to a year full of events."

Councillor Nick Adams-King, who represents Blackwater on the borough council, said: "The Abbey is a vocal point of Romsey and when we were looking at the town as part of the citizens' assembly it was the main thing that was highlighted - we need to keep a view of the Abbey in the town.

"It is great to celebrate 900 years and advertise Romsey."

Other celebrations later in the year will include;

n In March, 35 cut out named abbesses will appear in the abbey painted by local schools since the Abbey was originally a nunnery.

n In May a new stained glass window celebrating Florence Nightingale's 200th anniversary will be unveiled

n In June a community picnic will be held in the north churchyard

n In August the Abbey will be highlighting the work of local voluntary groups

n In October they are hoping to put on a Son et Lumiere, a light show projected onto the Abbey.

For more information on when the celebrations will take place, visit the Romsey Abbey website.