THIS weekend will see the start of a week of events at Worcester Cathedral celebrating the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta.

The historic document was agreed and sealed by King John, who is buried at the cathedral, and many of the week’s events will take place at his tomb.

The Cathedral’s bells will ring out for an hour from midday on Sunday, June 14, to mark the start of the celebrations, followed by a special service at 4pm.

Throughout the week visitors to the Cathedral will be able to learn about King John’s life and part in the Magna Carta while the English Symphony Orchestra will put on free lunchtime concerts at 12.15pm from Monday to Thursday.

Dean of Worcester the Very Reverend Peter Atkinson said: “As the custodian of the bones of King John, whose tyranny and brutality did so much to provoke the crisis that resulted in Magna Carta, Worcester has a unique part in this story - one might say an oblique one as well.

“We do not canonize King John, but we guard his tomb with the respect owed to that of a king, and we rejoice in the rule of law, to which kings are subject, and which Magna Carta symbolizes.”

For information visit www.worcestercathedral.org.uk.