A FESTIVAL celebrating the arrival of a religious relic returns with the chance to don period dress.

On May 5 the Holy Cross Festival takes place in Waltham Abbey following a two year absence.

The day begins at 11am with a guided tour of the Abbey Church, which will take in the history surrounding the six churches that have stood on the site over the centuries.

Tea and coffee will follow a music recital at 12pm, with the church tower open for climbing throughout the morning and a second tour at 2.30pm.

At 1.15pm a walk representing the bringing of the Holy Cross to Waltham in 1035 departs from Cornmill car park behind the Town Hall.

Tricia Gurnett, of the Holy Cross Partnership, said: "We hope at least some of those taking part will be in medieval costume.

"The large black cross, which represents the Holy Cross of Waltham, will lead the procession and will be carried by Waltham Abbey Scouts.

"On the way the walk will follow the outline of the Great Abbey built by King Henry II.

"During the walk, the Abbey Bells will ring. The Procession is timed to arrive behind the Abbey Church at 2.00pm.

"The outline of the six churches which have existed on the Abbey site will have already been marked out.

"The Procession will break into small groups, which can be joined by those who have gone straight to the site without being part of the walk, and will visit each line in turn.

"At each line the story of that particular church will be told. The Legend of the Holy Cross will be told at the line of Churches one and two."

The walk will finish with participants walking the line of the Norman ambulatory church.

All are welcome on the walk, with medieval costume encouraged but not essential.

Visitors are asked to chose allegiance to a clan and wear purple for Viking, pink for Anglo Saxon, turquoise for Normans, orange for dress from the time of King Henry II and royal blue for Tudor.