On Thursday, August 15 a sculpture of the Virgin Mary will float down the River Wye in a call for action against pollution in the river.

The four-foot-tall sculpture, dubbed ‘Our Lady of the Waters,’ will float down the river from Hay to Hereford, via Bredwardine and Moccas.

This is the third time this event will take place, as the sculpture is mounted on two canoes made into a canoe-catamaran.

The day will begin with Mass a St Mary’s in Hay at 8:30am, before a procession at 9am from the church. The launch will take place beneath Hay Bridge at 9:30am. The sculpture will arrive at Bredwardine Bridge at 4pm.

There is tea at Moccas Village Hall between 5pm and 6pm. £10 booking is required for this - call Rachel Jenkins on 01981500726.

This will be followed by a Gregorian chant at Moccas Church by the monks of Belmont Abbey between 6:30pm and 7:30pm.

The following day, August 16, the voyage proceeds at 9am from Bredwardine to Hereford Cathedral - arriving by 5pm for a 5:30pm Evensong in the Lady Chapel.

On August 17, at 9:30am, there will be a procession to All Saints Church for coffee and cake (10am to 11am) before the voyage continues from Hereford Cathedral to Hoarwithy Church for Evensong at 5:30pm.