The choir of Gloucester Cathedral will once again scale the 269 steps of the cathedral tower on Thursday May 25 to sing out across the city at the end of the Ascension Day service.

This special service, marking Christ's Ascension into heaven happens each year at 7.00am and finishes with a procession outside to hear the choir sing from Gloucester's own 'heaven' - the top of the tower.

Ascension Day is always an exciting event for the young choristers.

The boys are asked to get in early at 6.45am for a short rehearsal.

Near the end of the service at around 7.45am they climb to the top of the tower while the congregation gathers in the Cloister Garth below.

Once they have caught their breath, the choir will sing the motet "Ascendit Deus, Philips".

After this early morning service the congregation and choir tuck in to a well-deserved breakfast of bacon and eggs at the nearby King's School.

All are warmly welcome.