Magical carpet creation

THE 90ft Carpet of Flowers at Arundel Cathedral, which this year takes the theme of Our Lady of Lourdes, will attract thousands of visitors from all over the country.

The tradition was first introduced in 1877 by Duke Henry, who had seen a similar carpet in the village of Sutri outside Rome.

Over the years dedicated volunteers have produced spectacular carpets like this.

It will go on view today ( Wednesday) until Thursday evening whenthe flowers are trampled in the Mass of Corpus Christi, after which a procession leads from the Cathedral to the Castle at 6.30pm.

For more stories and pictures about this historic event, see West Sussex Gazette May 21