Art and garden lovers are expected to flock to a small village near Norwich over the next three weekends as it stages a sculpture trail.

The Bergh Apton Sculpture Trail draws visitors from around the world and this year will feature works for sale from over 60 artists.

The trail is now in its sixth instalment and is a highlight on the south Norfolk arts calendar.

From its beginnings as a simple community arts event the sculpture trail has grown in prominence and is now a major date on art collectors diaries.

This year's event sees sculptors displaying two hundred works set largely in rarely accessible private gardens linked by lanes, footpaths and bridleways through the village and surrounding countryside.

The sculptors have been asked to represent connections with the mediaeval past and the continuity of history in modern life.

The event centres on the theme of 'The Journey', a reflection of the journey taken by pilgrims and craftspeople in the construction of a mediaeval church as the focus of community life in the period.

This is depicted through more than 20 live heritage displays and workshops set within the modern village.

During the sculpture trail weekends, there will be live music and on the first two Saturdays and final Sunday there will be a mystery play written by playwright Hugh Lupton and featuring people from the village.

The sculpture trail is organized and run by the Bergh Apton Community Arts Trust, a voluntary organisation which aims to provide an environment for villagers to work together and foster artistic talent, bringing arts to the rural community and providing a showcase for diversity in East Anglian art.

The Bergh Apton Sculpture Trail takes place this weekend, Saturday May 28 and Sunday May 29; Saturday June 4 and Sunday June 5. It is open from 10.30am to 6pm. Tickets are available on the gate, adults �10 one day or �15 for any two days. Concessions are available for South Norfolk Leisure Passport Holders; children under 16 are free.

For a closer look at this year's sculpture trail see the Sunday section in Saturday's EDP.