A town will come together next weekend to celebrate the story of how it became a pilgrimage centre almost a millennium ago.

The annual Holy Cross day celebrations will be held next Sunday (September 13) in Waltham Abbey, with a rich mix of traditions to mark the town's history.

According to legend, a holy cross was brought from Somerset to Waltham, as it was then known, by Tovi the Proud in 1035 AD.

Tovi, standard bearer to King Cnut, found the cross buried in the ground and loaded it onto a cart.

Calling out a list of holy names, his oxen only moved when he shouted out the name of Waltham, and they were said to have made the 150 mile journey “as if pushed by the cross”.

Waltham Abbey and Waltham Cross then grew up around the cross to become an important pilgrimage site.

At 5.45pm next Sunday, a procession of pilgrims will re-enact the bringing of the cross.

Leaving the town lock, they will cross the River Lee and head towards the Abbey Church, with the church bells ringing out.

Local scouts will carry the cross, and 66 people are needed to take part in the procession to mirror the number of Saxons said to have walked originally.

To take part, arrive for the start of the procession.

Medieval costume is described as “desirable but not essential”.

Arriving at the Abbey, the pilgrims will be welcomed and the Holy Cross presented, before a service of Choral Evensong at 6.30pm.

At the end of the service, the cross will be carried into the cloister for an informal act of worship, followed by cheese and wine in the church.