VISITORS to Wiltshire's ghost village will mark 60 years since its evacuation tomorrow (Saturday) with a special commemorative service.

The candle-lit event in Imber, on the Salisbury Plain, will see Christmas carols sung at St Giles' Church for the first time since 1942.

On December 17, 1943, residents were forced to leave the village near Warminster when it was taken over for training US troops in the Second World War. Despite apparent government promises that villagers could return after the conflict, Imber, which is now owned by the MoD, has remained uninhabited.

Tomorrow's programme has been organised by the Friends of Imber Church, a group campaigning to preserve the village's religious sites. St Giles' Church was placed on English Heritage's Buildings At Risk register this summer and the 13th century structure's long-term future hangs in the balance.

Rev Dr Graham Southgate took over as vicar in September and will be taking tomorrow's service.

At 1pm he will be dedicating a marble memorial stone to honour the village's Baptist community. The stone has been donated by Warminster undertakers Curtis and Sons and will be erected in the Baptist graveyard.

Friends of Imber Church chairman and Warminster councillor John Syme said: "The Baptist community of Imber were very prominent in the village and so we felt it to be most appropriate to erect a memorial stone."

The service begins at 2pm in St Giles' Church, which will be decked out with a Christmas tree, flowers and Christmas lights. There will be singing from Edington Priory Choir and music from a string quartet.

Cllr Syme said: "This is an important anniversary for the handful of ex-Imberians still living. We intend to make it an occasion that will remain in the memories of everybody who attends."

St Giles' Church was declared redundant in 2002 and could face being demolished if funding cannot be found to restore it or find an alternative use.

For more details of tomorrow's events and how to get to the village contact John Syme on (01985) 846538.

On December 22 councillors visited the site to get better acquainted with the building.

Southern Area Committee chairman cllr Andrew Davis said: "The visit was quite well attended and I would like to think that all councillors will have gone away with the idea of supporting efforts to save it."